I quickly turned my attention to Matt's 30th birthday, which was creeping up on April 30. After going back and forth between a party with friends and a trip away, I decided we could both use some time away. I quickly set off making plans...and finding a partner in crime. A coworker and friend, Jana, was also eager for a quick trip to the beach. Since our husbands have become such good friends, our weekend getaway would be filled with laughs and fun. I quickly set to the plans. First, a weekend. With an upcoming, unused inclement weather day, I had April 23 off - the weekend before Matt's birthday, which would make it the perfect unsuspecting weekend to slip away. I contacted a coworker of Matt's, Keana, to get Matt the day off work from his boss. Next, a place to stay. I got in touch with Matt's Aunt Sandi to stay at their place in Panama City. Finally, birthday dinner. I made reservations at Matt's favorite in the world (which happens to be in PC), Captain Anderson's for his big birthday dinner. The suprise was set - all I had to worry about was keeping my mouth shut...
The big week came and we were set to leave on Thursday. I got a call on Monday night from my father-in-law telling me Aunt Sandi had called with urgent news. While at the beach house over the weekend, Uncle Tommy had a mild stroke. He was in the hospital and too weak to be moved back home to Mobile. This meant Sandi and other family members who would come visit would need the beach house for the upcoming weekend. I quickly set to work to find another place and my sister came through on Tuesday afternoon. Her in-laws have a condo in Gulf Shores and there were no reservations for the upcoming weekend. It meant no birthday dinner at Capt Anderson's, but it did mean a beach trip.
I emailed Keana at Matt's office on Thursday to make sure Matt still had Friday off and asked her to get Matt out of the office a little early - he needed to pack a bag so we could get on the road. She emailed back to say that she and another older woman at work, Dorothy, emailed the staff to say the office was being fumigated and everyone needed to be out promptly at 5:00. She later emailed to let me know everyone shot out at 5:00, except for Dorothy and Matt. Dorothy had to wait on her husband to come pick her up each day and Matt refused to leave her alone at the downtown office. After 15 mintues she finally told Matt her husband was picking her up at the grocery store up the street. She had to leave and walk up the street just so Matt would get in the car and go home!
When Matt got home I was waiting. I asked him if he would help me empty the trunk of my car, where I had secretly stored the beach chairs and umbrella I picked up from my parents. He agreed and after opening the trunk he said, "You planning a trip to the beach?" I immediately told him, "Yes, and you're going too. You have about 20 minutes to pack a bag." He ended up with only about 10 minutes to pack a bag - it took me at least 10 minutes to convince him I wasn't kidding and we really were going to the beach! Jana and Will were there shortly and we were off!
The only thing I forgot to do was wish for good weather. Friday was breezy, cloudy, and chilly - not the day I was hoping for. However, Matt managed to burn from the several hours on the beach during the very overcast afternoon. After a calming nap on the beach wrapped up in my towel, we showered for a dinner of seafood. It was then that the weather took a turn for the worse. Saturday was filled with thunder, lightening, wind, rain, and very high winds. The waves were so high there were patrols on the beach forcing people out of the water during the breaks between storms. On a half-hearted dare, Will decided to test the waves and go in while Jana and I cheered him on from the balcony. It was only moments before he too was called out of the water by a lifeguard. However, a bad day at the beach is better than any day anywhere else. We spent the morning playing cards, the afternoon shopping at the outlet mall, and the evening playing a comeback round of Hand and Foot, hoping the girls could redeem themselves from the loss the night before.
Sunday we woke to a beautiful day and our departure time quickly changed from "after lunch" to "late afternoon." We were quickly out to the beach for the perfect, sunny, breezy beach day. While the storms left the large, overpowering waves behind, it did not stop us from enjoying the day!
The view from the condo on Sunday morning
Red flag = fun on the beach, but not in the water
The birthday boy
(note his chair under the umbrella)
The view from the chair
(note the bird on the left, who decided to hang out with our group for quite some time and continued to make the most annoying sound I have ever heard)The trip ended that afternoon when we packed up to head back home. Jana and I were proud of ourselves, surprised that after about 6 hours in the sun we were leaving barely pink. However, after stopping for dinner in Montgomery, we got out to find ourselves a bright shade of red. (First thing Monday morning, sweet Yaseen was the first one in the classroom door - as always. He quickly made it over to my desk where he signed "Tanner, your face red." I signed back "I know." Before leaving he signed "My face brown, but yours shiny RED." All I could sign back was "thanks.")
The trip was a success - a surprise getaway that allowed us a little rest, fun, and relaxation!
The trip was a success - a surprise getaway that allowed us a little rest, fun, and relaxation!
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