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Abstract

somewhere to place my small bag and umbrella as the weather was decidedly stormy.We discussed the entrées we wanted to share and were waiting for the waitress to return to take our orders.I’m not sure why I turned around — my back was to the entrance of the restaurant — but when I did, my daughter who lives in Paris, was walking toward me with her wonderful partner Steven close behind.WTF?!!!!!I was so shocked, that my mouth dropped to the floor, my eyes were as wide as saucers and I almost said the ‘F’ word. Yeah — that one slips out way too often these days — but this time, it was worthy.I was NOT expecting my wonderfully talented firstborn to be walking toward me with her equally fantastic partner.I was speechless; gobsmacked.<h2 id="b29e">What did I do?</h2>BAWL!I cried because I had NO idea they were going to be at my birthday dinner. I was stunned; incredulous that my three bairns had hoodwinked me. That my beautiful daughter, Hannah, was walking toward me when she was meant to be in Be

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rlin.I cried because they ALL kept the secret for months. They wanted to make me feel special.I bawled like a baby because I felt so loved.I bawled out of control because it was so overwhelming! What the heck just happened here?!<h2 id="8fce">Surprises. Like ’em or Loathe?</h2>Aside from learning the gender of all three of my children at birth, this is the first time I have had the wool pulled completely over my eyes.For my kids to collaborate to pull this off is a big deal for me. It comes at a time when I’m trying to figure out what’s best for me — and them — as I navigate getting older.Do I stay put or go home to New Zealand? Is New Zealand my home anymore?With even more tears in my eyes, I want to thank my bairns for the surprise of my life that matches each of their arrivals into this world. You have no idea how this secret impacted me as a mum.What about you? Have you ever been thrown a surprise party or had friends or family appear unexpectedly?</article></body>

SURPRISE!

My kids ‘got me’ good. Real good

My 23-year-old ‘baby’ is heading back to university in a few days and he suggested we do a birthday celebration before he [Tom] leaves. I’m celebrating 57 years on this planet come September 10.

I can’t remember how we chose the restaurant, but it’s my favourite place for Thai food. The booking was for 8 pm — a tad late for me and my digestive system — so I’d asked Tom if he could make it earlier.

Unfortunately, the restaurant was fully booked.

We arrived on time; Tom, James — my middle-born son — and his lovely girlfriend, Juliette. I noticed there were some empty tables but I said nothing; there was no point in being snarky when my boys were going out of their way for me.

I also thought it was a bit odd that we were placed at a table set for four when it had the capacity for six. At least I had somewhere to place my small bag and umbrella as the weather was decidedly stormy.

We discussed the entrées we wanted to share and were waiting for the waitress to return to take our orders.

I’m not sure why I turned around — my back was to the entrance of the restaurant — but when I did, my daughter who lives in Paris, was walking toward me with her wonderful partner Steven close behind.

WTF?!!!!!

I was so shocked, that my mouth dropped to the floor, my eyes were as wide as saucers and I almost said the ‘F’ word. Yeah — that one slips out way too often these days — but this time, it was worthy.

I was NOT expecting my wonderfully talented firstborn to be walking toward me with her equally fantastic partner.

I was speechless; gobsmacked.

What did I do?

BAWL!

I cried because I had NO idea they were going to be at my birthday dinner. I was stunned; incredulous that my three bairns had hoodwinked me. That my beautiful daughter, Hannah, was walking toward me when she was meant to be in Berlin.

I cried because they ALL kept the secret for months. They wanted to make me feel special.

I bawled like a baby because I felt so loved.

I bawled out of control because it was so overwhelming! What the heck just happened here?!

Surprises. Like ’em or Loathe?

Aside from learning the gender of all three of my children at birth, this is the first time I have had the wool pulled completely over my eyes.

For my kids to collaborate to pull this off is a big deal for me. It comes at a time when I’m trying to figure out what’s best for me — and them — as I navigate getting older.

Do I stay put or go home to New Zealand? Is New Zealand my home anymore?

With even more tears in my eyes, I want to thank my bairns for the surprise of my life that matches each of their arrivals into this world. You have no idea how this secret impacted me as a mum.

What about you? Have you ever been thrown a surprise party or had friends or family appear unexpectedly?