Monday, March 30, 2009

Happy 30th, Reid!

It wouldn't be difficult (and perhaps I will in a different post) to list 30 things about Reid that amaze me, 30 things he's done to make my life better, 30 ways he makes me smile, 30 reasons i'm still madly in love with him, etc, etc--but I've got too many other things to write about here, and it's already midnight.... It really would be easy, though, since everything that's amazing about him is really a combination of hundreds of small things. So, come to think of it, i believe i shall compose such a post sometime here in his 30th year...just not tonight :)


The night of Reid's b-day we had a few friends over for cake and ice cream. This was the first sugar Reid had eaten in two weeks! (i'd cheated a few days earlier with a few girl friends who forced cheese cake down my throat) It turns out that we really like sugar and have had lots of it every day since then...but that's a whole other story...



We opened a few small things that the girls and I had gotten for Reid. I'd told him earlier that week that his BIG present was on back order and wouldn't get here until Monday or Tuesday--which he completely believed....

Wednesday night we left all three of the girls with my awesome friend, Kristin, and ate hummus, falafel and baklava with our good friends, Eamonn and Laura. We talked WAY too late, and could have kept talking all night. And then we got to come home and have MORE grown up time with Kristin and Dan, who'd put their kids down here. I love grown-up time. We have some seriously awesome friends, and too many kids to enjoy them!! (by the way, if you dig middle eastern food AT ALL, and live here, you gotta check out the hummus at Damascus on Colorado Blvd!!!!)

So, Reid knew that i'd gotten him something awesome but had NO CLUE what it was. I've known for about 3-4 months exactly what I wanted to get Reid for his big birthday. Several obstacles tried to get in the way of this gift. But after a bizillion miracles (and i DO mean miracles, but won't get into all that here) it all worked out.
I have a really hard time keeping secrets from Reid, especially when they involve other people, travel plans, golf, etc. But I did it. He had absolutely NO IDEA that the "awesomest birthday present ever" that i'd told him was going to be a few days late was actually a weekend with his brother, Tom (and of course we had to have Jana and baby Gabe come, too!!)
Friday evening I told Reid that i needed to go to the fabric store.. He, as he always does, willingly agreed to stay home with the girls so i could have a break. I sped to the airport, picked up the crew, and 90 minutes later I called Reid and told him that i'd just pulled up, and saw his present on the doorstep. It was awesome, awesome, awesome seeing Reid's face go from excitement, to shock, to confusion, to pinch-me-i'm-dreaming, to you-are-the-best-wife-ever, and then back to excitement--lots and lots of excitement--as he just kept hugging Tom, and saying "are you serious?" The shock lasted well into Saturday morning. awesome.


A really big part of this gift was to get these two brothers together for a day of golf. Well, the 60 degree weather we've had for the past 3 months decided to dump 15" of snow on Thursday, so the day of golf turned into an hour at the driving range. But the hanging out, stuffing our faces, staying up late and talking about nothing, and especially meeting our newest nephew more than made up for our snowed-on parade.

Reid couldn't say enough how awesome that gift was. I have to agree. And having this MASSIVE secret out in the open has freed up so much mental space--I can finally talk to Reid without fearing that i'm going to blurt out something that would give it all away. i feel like a new woman!

Thanks, Tom and Jana, for coming out here, in spite of all that you have going on! we love you!! And Happy Birthday, babe. Welcome to your 30's. It's nice to have you here. I've felt like a bit of a cougar lately:)

14 comments:

Emili said...

WOW, loved you quick vid! That is awesome. You've obviously the BEST wife, so sneaky! I'm so impressed! (And I loved the cake too) Happy Birthday Reid. :)

Tom Allred said...

We had a great time too. Thanks Emily for pulling it all together.

Isa said...

You are a great wife, I'm not gonna tell Jonni what you got Reid for his 30th.. since I got him... a razor. ;)

Isa said...

and by him I mean Jonni, obviously.

Reid said...

You are the greatest, hon! Thanks again for an amazing birthday. I love you!

Thanks, Tom and Jana, for being willing to be the best birthday present ever.

Em Russ said...

Johnny turns 30 in May and I thought, oh good. She thought of something fabulous I can just copy. Great. I can't do that! I am jealous though.

Candace said...

That is awesome. You are such a great wife! I'm glad that he had a good birthday, especially now that he is an old man. Wait, aren't you older than him?

The Ultimate Mama said...

you're the sweetest!!!! reid is a lucky man. happy birthday reid!!!!

carie said...

that cake made me laugh out loud (i am not going to say "LOL".)

WE ARE COMING TO DENVER THIS WEEKEND! From Thursday - Saturday. Ricky has an art show opening Thursday night. What are you guys doing on Friday during the day? We will be staying downtown, i think. Email me.

Adrie Peterson said...

Emily,
While reading your post was fabulous, it was priceless watching the video. So great. What a wonderful wife you are!

Stephanie B said...

When Alisa told me about this, I immediately turned to Travis and said, "WOW, That would be a Great birthday present, wouldn't it!!!" Hopefully he got the hint... I'll let you know.

The Busby Family said...

Happy Birthday Reid! What an awesome birthday present. You are awesome.

Stacey Mom said...

I loved that post, the video made me a little teary, happy teary, I'm an Allred by birth, it's allowed! I loved your cougar comment Emily, Nath and I cracked up! Happy 30th again bro!

Yasmine said...

Can you even still walk? That is old and I mean old. Happy 30th Birthday big guy! Take care and keep in touch.

Jason