Last week was Bill's birthday. It fell right in the middle of a four-day work trip. It might have completely fallen through the cracks, except we have kids and they LOVE celebrating birthdays. Preferably their own, but they'll settle for a parent's in a pinch.
DAY BEFORE BIRTHDAY: many rounds of Happy Birthday on the phone (practicing for the real day).
BIRTHDAY: more rounds of Happy Birthday, along with concerns that "Daddy will be very sad all alone by his-self on his birthday."
SATURDAY AFTER BIRTHDAY: out to a local restaurant for a family dinner. Two hours later, after a spilled Shirley Temple, several baskets of bread and bean dip -- but no meals, two cranky kids, and the worst service we've ever had, we returned home to recover.
SUNDAY AFTER BIRTHDAY: Bill finally had his day. We recently purchased two kayaks and he's been itching to learn more about his new favorite sport. Despite cold temperatures, high winds and driving rain, he participated in a four-hour outdoor class about kayaking. How not to fall out of the boat, how to get back into the boat when you do fall out (which they practiced several times in the Columbia River), and general tips about safety. The highlight came when he purchased a bright yellow dry suit to wear when he's on the river by himself (to stay warm and safe - and visible).
He returned home happy and tired, when we promptly subjected him to more birthday stuff. The kids and I had spent the day planning a meal (for 20 of our friends) -- shopping, cooking, baking, making a card and wrapping his gifts (books about kayaking, of course). There was a LOT of excitement about sharing our adventures and our love -- not to mention the anticipation of eating the chocolate coconut cupcakes we had just frosted.
Humble as always, Bill took it all in stride (including the dinner). For such a social guy, he doesn't love parties in his honor. Even so, he let us remind him how great he is and how happy we all are to celebrate another year with him in our lives.
Happy Birthday, Bill!
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