Dear Kid,

OK, I did not see this coming.

Dad is rarely able to completely and thoroughly snooker me, but that is exactly what he did.

Completely and thoroughly.

As you know, Dad kidnapped me for our anniversary. Without a computer. He told me we were heading south and that it would take about an hour and 45 minutes to reach our destination. I thought I’d weaseled real information out of him. I was pretty proud of myself.

I guessed Lexington. I was sure it was Lexington. He told me he might ask me to do part of the driving. Inwardly, I rolled my eyes and groaned. Dude was raining on my happy.

I was absolutely, positively sure it was Lexington. I thought (from Dad’s vague hints) we’d be learning to ride horses. He told me we’d leave no later than 6:30pm. I (mistakenly) assumed that if were ready earlier, we’d leave earlier.

Fast forward to last Friday. I was ready to go. Dad was dawdling. I sighed and resolved not to spoil his plans with my impatience.

Finally, we were ready to go. Dad drove. We were indeed headed south.

And then he turned onto 275 West to go to the airport.

Wait, WHAT?

I did not see that coming.

At the airport, Dad took my license and kept the secret all the way to the gate.

We were headed to Chicago.

First thought: Cool.

Second thought: No, cold. Freezing cold.

Third thought: Who takes a vacation to Chicago in the middle of the winter?

Fourth thought: Shut up and enjoy.

Fast forward (again) through a 2 ½ hour delay and a gate change. I ask about plans and Dad says he has information for me to read. I ask where we’re staying and he tells me the Embassy Suites. I briefly wonder about asking if I should call any of the cousins who live in Chicago. I think: Shut up and enjoy.

We land, retrieve my suitcase (I have packed enough for three weeks at a shoe convention because I don’t know anything about what we’re doing), and head out for the Uber Dad has called.

An Uber?

Dad has an Uber account?

I did not see that coming.

And who takes an Uber from the airport? Why not just grab a taxi?

I think: Shut up and enjoy.

We walk outside to meet the Uber. After a few false starts, we find the car. I notice the long-haired driver is a woman and briefly think: How odd that a woman is picking up people at the airport this late at night. (Sexist. I know. But it’s what I thought.)

The driver got out of the vehicle to open the back of the car for our luggage. And it’s Cousin Jennifer! How freakin’ wonderfully cool.

I did NOT see that coming.

Dad didn’t lie. It took about an hour and 45 to reach the appropriate gate from our house. And we moved to the Embassy Suites on Saturday.

I seriously did not see any of that coming.

Surprises can be awesome.

Love, Mom