A surprise 30th for Angie

By K.J. Cardinal

Angie's actual birthday isn't until Thursday (September 25), but on Friday night I threw her a surprise 30th birthday party.

I had Angie believing that we were having a get together this Friday, the day after her birthday, so she really had no idea about the surprise. I went to such confusing lengths as setting up two Evites, one for the surprise party and one for the fake party. I'm sure that some people will show up this Friday, thinking there is going to be a party, but hopefully not because we won't be home.

Anyway, this past Friday was actually Adam's birthday, so I used him, his wife Holly and their kids, Sam and Katie (pictured above with Angie) as the perfect diversion to surprise Angie. I told Angie that I wanted to take Adam out for his birthday...and naturally, she fell for it.

So, we had a good dinner at the 99 here in Hudson and then came back to our house for the shindig. When we got out of the car, my neighbor was outside with his wife and kids and he says, "Get inside and get that party going." So, after over a month of planning a surprise party, we made it until about 10 feet from the front door until the cover was blown...ughhh!

I acted as if I either didn't hear it or didn't know what he was talking about and Angie was a little confused by it all. So, it didn't entirely ruin the surprise, but still bummed me out a bit that everyone had done such a good job of keeping the surprise...except our neighbor : (

Regardless, I unlocked the front door and turned the light on for Angie and everyone jumped out and screamed "Surprise!" It was great.

There was a great crew of Angie's closest friends that came from all over to celebrate her 30th, so she was loving it.

I have to give props to our friends Scott, Mike, Jamie and Missy for all of their help in pulling the party off. Scott & Mike parked cars down the street so the surprise wouldn't be spoiled and Jamie and Missy got the food ready and whatnot. It was a great team effort...thanks guys.

I would also like to take this time to warn you all of The Headless Horseman. You see, Scott and a few of his buddies came up with this new drink The Headless Horseman. It's tasty, but crippling. You take a half of a pumpkin beer, pour it into a glass and then drop a shot of jagermeister into the glass and down the hatch it all goes.

It might not sound that great, but it actually tastes a little TOO good. The "nutmeg finish" on the beer really carries the shot. So you see, we did a number of these on Friday night and Saturday wasn't a real pleasant day in the Cardinal household. So, beware The Headless Horseman.

Anyway, happy (early) 30th birthday Angie!