I posted this once, I thought, but it dodn't show up... so here goes again.

What I expected:  a nice simple anniversary celebration on Sept 2,  flying to Mobile. AL to meet up with some of Clayton's family for a week and a half vacationing on the Gulf Coast on Sept 5.

What I got:  on Sept 2, surpruise #1 - the anniversary card includes 2 tickets to Avenue Q on Broadway the night if Sept 5... and an explanation that., surprise #2! we're going to NYC for a couple days beofre continuing on to Mobile as planned.  in New York, we go for a pre-show dinner, and surprise #3!  Clayton's parents are already at the table. (not too much of a stretch, I knew they were in the area for another family function and planning to catch Wicked...)

 ** I should note here that while I'm pretty well-travelled, and have been to most of the major cities of Western Europe and North America,  this was my first trip New York City (other than the airport).  And "see a show on Broadway" has been the top of my "must-do" list since I scratched off "find my soulmate" about 7 years ago.  So this is HUGE for me!!! **

   So we have a nice dinner, Clayton and I see Avenue Q, go to our hotel, and set the alarm - Clayton has already mentioned we're moving to a less-expensive hotel farther from times square, and a car service has been arranged.

The car service shows up the next morning, and surprise #4! It's my parents. Who drove all the way up from Houston (yes, the one in Texas).  and they are taking us to, surprise #5! the pier in Brooklyn, where we are all catching a 9-day cruise to the Caribbean.

By the time we get to the ship, I've figured out that Clayton's folks will be coming along too--and that explains his sureptitious text-messaging,.. as he tries to let them know where on the shiop we are sitting around waiting for the sail-away.

Only, surprise #6! I hear a voice, turn around, and friends Chris and Llonda are marching over--they're on the cruise too! (turns out that was who he really texting.)

So I finally piece the full picture - Clayton has been planning this, including coming up with all the money for it behind my back (pretty amazing, since I do all the money stuff), for over 6 months now.  Apparently most of you who actually know me outside of Multiply have been in on some aspect of the devious plot along the way  There had been a few slips along the way I should have caught onto, but this is so beyond anything I could imagine him trying to pull off, and the "fake" Mobile vacation was so well and plausibly put together, that the hints just sailed right past.  I was definitely surprised!!!

(after that:  9 incredible days of cruising, snorkeling, sun, relaxation, trivia... and one last day and night in NYC, with a grey-line tour of downtown Manhattan, and one last show--"Curtains" with David Hyde Pierce, Ernie Sabella, and the line captain was even a fellow NU alum who was in the Waa-Mu show I worked backstage on my Freshman year...  and now finally home.)

   So to all who helped, or those who just knew, but managed to keep their mouths shut, congratulate yourselves on a job well done... My thanks to you all for a wonderful surprise.  But most of all, thanks to my amazing husband... I don't know how you managed it, and I know I'll never be able to top it (not that I won't try).  7-year-itch-be-darned.... May the next 7 years be as incredible as the first 7!