Surprise!

So, if you haven't been keeping track, this is the year that Don and I and a good majority of our friends all turn 30 years old. And it started last night with the first one of the year - Matt's 30th Birthday. Welcome to your 4th decade Matt! Well, Camille being the lovely wife that she is, has been planning a very grand surprise for Matt for this most special occasion for several months now. Matt was forwarned that there would be a surprise for his birthday, but he had no idea what that surprise was going to be. He had some guesses and wishful ideas of what it might be but Camille, with all of her might, managed to keep it in and never spoiled the secret. The two things that Matt did know was that there was a dinner planned for Friday night and a BBQ planned for Saturday, so whatever the surprise was going to be, he thought it most likely to show up on one of those nights. But for his actual birthday, Thursday, October 4th we were going to celebrate the day by doing two of the things Matt loves most, eating Camille's fabulous ravioli lasagna for dinner and GAMING!

So Matt and Camille arrive around 5:30 last night like any other Thursday night gaming night. I serenade Matt with a solo rendition of Happy Birthday and a large vanilla burning candle. I told him that since I didn't have 30 candles he would have to settle for one 30 pound candle. I explain that Don is running a little late from his meeting in Ontario and that I haven't heard from Jeremy and Katy yet but I'm sure they're on their way. It's all good though because that will give us time to start dinner and get the gaming room ready so that we can dive right in when everyone gets here.

And here comes the good part... Matt goes to set his bag in the gaming room and is surprised to see that Jeremy and Katy are already here sitting at the gaming table. Only Jeremy and Katy are four people instead of two people. Only Jeremy and Katy are not Jeremy and Katy at all but four of our dearest Washington friends flown in this morning to celebrate this milestone in Matt's life - Jeff, Tina, Steve and Brie! This realization prompts the chain link reaction of a stumbling motion backwards into the wall accompanied by a "What the f**k?!", followed by shouts of "SURPRISE!", much laughter, many cheers, and huge big bear hugs. And Tina caught it all on video with her camera.

We had a very fun evening of reminiscing about old memories, catching up on new memories, and getting old friends acquainted with new friends. Matt was glowing for the entire evening and declared it "the best birthday he has ever had." Our hopes and prayers for Matt's 30th is that his best birthday ever turns into his best year ever which turns into his best decade ever. Happy Birthday Matt :)