We gave my father a surprise birthday party last May 9 at McDonalds. Who says only children hold parties there? Also “young once” too. We had it all planned. Not until we, the organizers, were surprised first by a very unexpected party pooper.
We were all waiting at the party area for my father’s arrival when my sister’s cell phone rang. It was my Popsi. He was getting confused and angry at my sister because my aunt came to him and asked him, “Can we ride with you going to the party?”
What?! My aunt wants to ride along with my mom and dad going to the party to think it was supposedly a surprise party for my dad!
My father was so surprised with my aunt because my dad didn’t know that we invited his siblings and other friends for his surprise birthday party. He only thought that we will only have dinner. Only us his family. But here came my aunt trying to spoil the surprise.
My dad asked my sister a lot of questions because he really got confused, like why would his sister ride along with them in going to the party?
So my dad asked her, “Why is your aunt going to ride with us to a party? What party? What is the occasion? Who else did you invite? What’s going on?”
“Huh? I don’t know with her. I didn’t invite her. We will only have a dinner. There is no party. I really don’t know what she is talking about!” my sister answered back. Actually she even told my dad that she has really no idea about the guests because it was I who organized our dinner for him, that he better call me instead to clarify things.
Just great. Now was in hot seat. Now my cell phones were ringing and did not answer them. I didn’t know what to say! We’ve got to have plan B! Fast!
So my sister and I formulated another plan hoping to still stick with the original surprise party. Besides, we were all ready for it. Might as well stick to it. No more time to give up.
So I called my dad and acted that I also didn’t know what my aunt was talking about, and that I was still home because I was not done fixing things and that I might be late for the dinner. I even sounded a bit angry so that my voice would be more believable. Hehe. Thank God for drama classes in high school and college. Haha!
So my sister called my mom and told her about our plan B and that she better call us if they are already near the area. We even sent our cousin downstairs to be on the lookout to inform us that my dad has arrived.
In the turn of events, party poopers just started popping out! As my cousin was waiting for their arrival, he was looking on one side of the area when my father suddenly appeared on the other side and even tapped my cousin’s back and said, “Hey. What are you doing here?” My cousin was surprised to see him that he got tongue-tied and didn’t answer at all! If you could only see the face of my mom in disgust, you would have ran far for your life! Hahaha! So my mom, so upset, told my dad to go upstairs (of McDonalds El Pueblo) and accompany her because she wants to take a pee. But my dad told her, “Why do I need to go with you up there? You can do it y yourself.”
Then, when they entered the store, who do you think did my parents see but my aunt again! And he even saw some of his friends who arrived late! This is just really great! Party poopers of the century!!! So my dad, again, got so confused seeing his sister, again and his friends there! My mom went to the party area and when we saw her we thought my dad was with her already. My mom was so furious! Haha! She could not believe that this was happening! After all the secret planning we had, the surprise would just be spoiled in a flash. She gave us all a scary angry face and uttered, “He doesn’t like to go up here!” We wanted to laugh at her for being so frustrated but we didn’t.
So she went down to tell my dad, “Pa, let’s go up please. They are all there.”
So, they went up and as planned, the lights were off and upon entering the venue we all greeted him loudly, “Happy Birthday!”.
Did he get surprised after all the party poopers? Oh yes, he still did. We had so much fun and of course, my father loved the poem I made, which my niece read in front of everyone. That was good enough. At least, behind all the disgusting spoilers, my father was still surprised to see all of us there, all of his friends, siblings and family.
Lessons learned:
1. If you are the lookout, never look only at one side of the venue. Be more vigilant.
2. If you are the one surprised by the turn of events, act normal; better yet, act as if you are angry. This will make them think you are not one of the poor organizers of the surprise party.
3. If a guest wants to ride along with the celebrant and will definitely spoil the surprise, inform the celebrant to leave whoever that is. Again, act a bit angrily.
4. As much as possible, stick to the original plan.
5. Be alert for sudden changes in the original plan if party poopers cannot be handled anymore.
6. Give more surprise parties so you could master the art of giving one.
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