A Thank You To Everyone On My 40th Birthday

I turned 40 earlier that week, but due to illness spent the day sleeping and not doing a ton. I honestly, was not expecting a whole lot of fanfare and celebration. I just wanted to go out to dinner and spend some time with my friends and family.

My wife had other ideas.

Look, I know some people say their wife is the best. My wife really is amazing, incredible, smart, and beautiful and just an unbelievable partner to have throughout life. Turning 40 can be difficult on some people who feel old or over the hill, or whatever phrase we as society have decided to use. To say my wife went above and beyond to make sure my 40^th was exceptional is the understatement of the year.

Last week I had the flu and had to stay home to recover. Friday, I finally felt a little better, but by the end of the day, I was ready to be home. When I walked in the door, three of my best child-hood friends were sitting on my couch. My wife yelled out surprise. I was in total shock. I have known these guys practically my entire life.

So why am I writing this as a recap of my birthday weekend? Well, I want to soak it all in. I want to remember it. I want it all documented. I want to thank everyone who came out to show me how loved and truly lucky I am. That list starts with my wife Alexis. What can I say about a woman who despite working a higher-powered career, raising two children (sometimes a third in me) and being extremely busy finding time to help surprise her husband on his 40^th birthday. During the prep and planning stretch, both kids were sick, both of us were sick and our son broke both his wrist falling off the playground at school and Lex’s Grandmother passed away. Yet, she still found time for me. She and everything that went into the entire weekend blew me away. Weekend? Yes, there is more than just my high school friends.

Again, My wife had other ideas.

Despite not feeling very well, it was set up that we would go to the new Barstool Sportsbook at the Casino to watch the NCAA tournament games. Some friends joined my high schools friends and my wife and set it up that my father could join us too. This meant a lot as my Dad used to pull me from school to watch the games during the tourney. It only made sense that he would attend. It is a memory that will stay with me forever.

I was still in awe how my wife pulled this all off. Between coordinating my high school friends coming in and being free, then Drew being re-routed to Pittsburgh on his flight, to deleting a text on my phone that was sent in the wrong group that could have spoiled the surprise. I have no idea how she pulled it off.

We went 2-1-1 at the casino and ended up staying way too late laughing and hanging out. It was awesome. If that was the end of my birthday celebration, I would have been completely fine.

My wife had other ideas.

I woke up sluggish Saturday morning and my wife said she made a lunch reservation at a sports bar for us to watch the games and relax. This was odd for a few reasons. It did not seem like the place you needed a reservation. It was a little far from our house. In addition, the original plan for the weekend was a dinner out later that night. My wife mentioned she got me a shirt to wear, which was fun and I did. The plan was to take our kids to my parents’ house so we could get lunch, relax and then go out to dinner.

My wife had other ideas.

I cannot thank everyone enough here. I know people are busy. I know finding times to hang out with people can be difficult with kids schedules. Yet, somehow, my wife found a way to invite so many people who came out to throw me a surprise 40^th birthday party. A surprise after a surprise is unexpected. Well played Lex! I hope everyone that said happy birthday to me online, helped Lex plan this thing, or came to the party, reads this and understands. I am so eternally grateful for you taking time out of your day and life to show me love. I love you all. I am entirely overwhelmed and astounded by everyone. I said thank you to everyone who came individually, but I wanted to do it again here. While I did not feel all that well, it was fantastic everyone came out and had a great time. The Beer tower races were awesome! It was wonderful party and I enjoyed every minute of it, including North Carolina coming through.

You know that dinner I mentioned? That was fake. It was an elaborate hoax with a fake FB invite and event created to trick me and throw me off the surprise. So, with no dinner are we all just going home now?

My wife had other ideas.

A large majority of people came over to have some food, drinks and a good time. HOW DID MY WIFE PULL THIS ALL OFF!!! Lex kept saying, “We need to have some food and drinks at our house just in case people come over before or after dinner.” She kept buying more and more stuff. I was like why do we need so much? On Friday morning, I went to the basement to get more creamer and Lex almost beat me down the stairs. I was like what is happening. She said she did not want me to see how much stuff she bought just in case people came over. Meanwhile, she was trying to hide all the food and drinks, knowing people were coming over. Mr. Oblivious here had no clue.

We finished the night watching games and hanging out. My children were a part of the entire day. At first, I thought they were going to my parents for the night so we could go out to dinner. Instead, they were a part of the entire day. I must say I loved that aspect. I am happy I was able to share the entire experience with them, again thanks to Lex.

We spent Sunday watching games and trying to recover from the rest of the weekend. I would not have wanted it any other way. We also recapped all the small things and signs I should have noticed. You know those things that could have tipped me off about the surprise. Yet, I did not see any of them. I am happy I missed them all.

I just want to again thank everyone who made this entire weekend special. Friends who came from short and long distances. Gifts. Cards. Shirts. A Cameo from a former WWE super star is was one of the Bushwhackers. However, mostly, time. I appreciate all the time everyone spent in order to help plan, keep secret and attend this magical birthday weekend for me. Yes, I said magical. I took notes the entire weekend so I could soak it all in and not forget how much I appreciated each and every person that attended. From the bottom of my heart I want to thank all of you. I need to mention it again though. My wife is the best wife in the world. I will never stop thanking her for everything she went through in order to make my 40^th birthday one I will never forget. If I could give anyone advice who is turning forty, it would be find yourself a Lex. That is easier said than done. I wanted a nice quiet dinner. But, as you already know. My wife had other ideas and I am happy she did.

I love you all and thank you again for everything!