I’ve never been easy to surprise.  It’s almost as if,  for most of my life, I’ve had a sixth sense about plans being made to surprise me.  It may be partially due to the fact that my mother couldn’t keep a secret if she knew it was going to make someone happy.  Wrapped presents were her downfall.  She would let us open a few presents from beneath the tree in early December,  play for a while and then re-wrap them and always said, “You’ll forget what’s in them by the time Christmas gets here.”

I remember, years ago, unwrapping a package that was under the Christmas tree,  several times before Christmas.  (This happened before Dad started taking Mom Christmas shopping for us on December 24th.  Dad wasn’t home a lot but he appeared to be incredibly perceptive, just sayin.)  It was a little yellow, and I do mean yellow haired doll.  She was dressed in a fabulous little red tutu and your fingers, when inserted into the legs of her tights, became her legs.  She had little red rubbery ballerina slippers that fit on the tips of your fingers to complete the ensemble and once they were in place she was ready to dance. 

My sister received one as well but the memory of her opening hers before the official “rip the wrapping paper off” day escapes me.  She was older than me and for some reason, a little more likely to follow the rules of the game, if you know what I mean.  When I think back I sort of wonder just how big of a little brat I was.  I don’t remember being the kind of kid that would hound my mother until she gave in to whatever I wanted but maybe I was.  I suppose it doesn’t really matter now.  I know she loved me with every last ounce of her being and I know how much joy it gave her to see people happy, especially me!

Mom’s love of seeing people happy was a trait she passed on to me so when my amazing niece got engaged July 31st of 2015,  she and her fiance began planning their big day.  What I loved most about their plans is the fact that they chose to include me when it came to designing the invitations and the decorations for wedding!  I knew I could come up with something fun and exciting and due to the fact that this aunt grew up very “financially modest” I would most likely be able to save them some money!  I considered this a win-win for all of us as they needed a bit of direction in the creativity department and I just happened to come with a deluxe set of creativity!

Over the course of the months leading up to this monumental event,  Allison feared she would eventually overwhelm me with all the details she was entrusting me with and pondered ways she might be able to pay me for the “services rendered.”  I told her how silly she was and that I expected absolutely nothing more that her happiness on this special day.  When I decorate, I experience an escape from all reality and if your life is anything like mine, you have moments, typically work related, that tend to stress you out.   Finding an “escape” as I refer to it, is worth more than any pay I could ever receive, especially when it comes to a niece you dearly love and the handsome love of her life she plans to turn into your nephew!!!

The months passed by so quickly and on the night of the rehearsal supper something happened that I will never forget.  The hours leading up to this moment in time included a very busy day filled with laughter, joyful conversations and lots and lots of decorating.  The venue sparkled with touches of Ant B’s creativity made possible by all the amazing helpers that arrived ready to follow whatever directions they would receive.  The wedding day was just a day away and the excitement in the air could have been sliced and served as dessert but instead, real desserts, the decadent variety,  were savored by almost every taste bud in attendance.   Eventually the bride and groom stepped away from their table and gathered everyone’s attention.  Bits and pieces of what transpired seem to be a bit hazy for me but I do remember them passing out gifts to all the people they wanted to thank for their willingness to share in the magic of their special day.  I also remember Allison talking about a “special” gift they planned to give and it was then they called Ant B up to stand with them.  I saw a little box in Allison’s hand and I remember her referring to me as her and her sisters “second mom.”  Just seeing this little box tied with curling ribbon made me think of my mom, knowing it was added in her memory.  Allison and her sisters put so much thought into everything they do and I hope they know just how much space they occupy within their auntie’s heart.

The gold wrapped box was placed into my hands and due to the fact that Allison knew how tough curling ribbon is, she also handed me a pocket knife so the struggle to reveal the contents of the box wouldn’t take as long as it would have without the adequately equipped knife blade.  At this moment, I had no idea what I was going to uncover once the gift wrap was removed.  I was pretty sure it wasn’t a set of Pyrex bowls, a pizza pan or a 24″ garden hedgehog statue (hey, they got a lot of cool shower gifts I thought they might want to share with me) but what it was, I never saw coming.

Eventually the unwrapped box revealed yet another box.  This one was made of black velvet which might tell an unknowing aunt that it could possibly be jewelry or saved baby teeth.  All I knew is it was going to be something very special.

As I slowly opened the tiny little velvet box my heart began to pound.

I had never felt more special in my entire life.

I had uncovered the mystery of that “special gift” chosen by a bride and groom that forever changed the way their Aunt would see herself.

Not only is she an aunt, but to her incredibly precious nieces, she is also a mom….a second mom with a breathtaking ring to prove it!