Surprise!!

When I turned 14 my friends threw a surprise birthday party for me. They had worked out all of the details and my mom made sure I would be available that night when my good friend Carrie, who lived next door, called to see if I could come over. What they didn't take into account was that 14-year-old girls can be a bit moody and unpredictable.

At the appointed time Carrie called and invited me to come over and watch a movie. I told her I was busy. Well, that wasn't in the script. My mom asked what Carrie wanted and I gave the typical teenage answer, "nothing."

A few minutes later Becky called to see what I was doing and I told her I was just hanging out at home. She said she was going over to Carrie's house and asked if I wanted to go with her. Once again I came up with some kind of lame excuse, unknowingly leaving a houseful of girls next door wondering how they could get the party-pooper to her own party. I'm sure at this point my mom was ready to send me next door to borrow a cup of sugar.

These were friends that I was with every weekend. They hadn't thought of what to do if I absolutely refused to come over. Determined to get me out the door, literally dragging me if needed, Becky and Carrie soon rang my doorbell. My mom answered the door and sent the girls upstairs to my room.

The details are a bit fuzzy, but I'm sure I was tucked in bed with a good book, listening to my Chicago 17 record. I guess I finally decided that it would be more fun to be at Carrie's house than my own, especially if my friends were going to plop themselves on my bed all night and not leave me alone. About 30 minutes later than planned I finally scooted next door to a group of patient party guests. I was definitely surprised. Completely shocked, actually. And also a bit embarrassed.

Because of this I have never really wanted to throw a surprise party for anyone. What if the guest of honor didn't cooperate as planned, making both of us look foolish. What if one of the guests ruined the surprise? What if the birthday boy or girl just doesn't want to be surprised and would rather be home in bed with a good book. Too many things could definitely go wrong.

About a week before Amanda's sixteenth birthday I had the thought that I needed to throw her a surprise party. It was one of those thoughts that just couldn't be pushed aside. She has talked about a sweet sixteen party for months, but as the time got closer we were having a lot of trouble finding a date that worked. She's busy, her friends are busy, we're busy. I wasn't sure how we could make it work and make it live up to her expectations.

We decided that if we had the party on her birthday, a Wednesday, it would have the most impact. With only a few days notice Ashley and I spread the word to as many of her friends as we could. I was sure somebody would slip up and tell, but figured we could at least check the party off the list for the month. We decided to keep things at the party pretty simple - a couple of cakes, a few snacks, and minimal decorations.

On her birthday we celebrated in the morning with the traditional opening of presents and squeezed in a yummy family dinner before Amanda had to head back to school for choir rehearsal and then to voice lessons until 8:30. While she was gone we had plenty of time to get things ready (a huge thank you to my friends who played a big part in helping out). Just before she arrived home 20 of her friends showed up for the big surprise.

She never saw it coming. She was completely shocked and not a bit embarrassed. It. Was. Awesome.

Now I'm just trying to get over my own shock that I actually have a sixteen year old. I could use a little Chicago 17 right about now.

Happy Sweet Sixteen Amanda! You are such an amazing, helpful, talented, beautiful young woman.

Thanks for 16 fantastic years of motherhood.