A Birthday Surprise

All the arrangements had been made and everything was in place. I picked out a nice flower arrangement and took it my florist friend at the store. Telling her what it was for she added some additional flowers and “freshened up” (replaced) a few others. I spent a great deal of time looking for a card I liked. Then, somehow, managed to smuggle everything into the house and hide it without being spotted.

Early Monday morning I prepared the surprise. I got the flowers from their hiding spot, signed the card, and made Char a nice cup of tea. Upstairs I pushed open the bedroom door, turned on the light, and loudly announced, “Looks like someone’s having a birthday today!”

The following conversation took place:

Char (sitting up in bed laughing): Yeah, somebody is, but not me.
Ralph (speechless):
Char (still laughing): My birthday is tomorrow.
Ralph: But . . . but today’s the 12th.
Char (still laughing): No, Ralph. Today is the eleventh.
Ralph: No (fill in the blank) !!

The surprise was on me. When Char finally quit laughing, I gave her the flowers. She would have to wait one more day for the card.

I was also surprised to learn – why you don’t earn any extra martial points, you don’t lose any by celebrating your spouse’s birthday early.