I’m back… just in case you didn’t notice:) Somehow I hit a wrong button so apologies to subscribers who may have now gotten two versions of this post: a draft and the real thing. I planned to publish tomorrow but my fingers accidentally got ahead of me and before I know it, my typos and all were heading through cyberspace. Sigh. Guess my mind was still vacationing. Blog posts and emails need a recall option!
Meanwhile… I am indeed back. And a great trip was had by all. Here is how it unfolded:
Several years ago, this pre-planning over-organizer extraordinaire, started thinking about her husband’s fast approaching half century mark birthday. What should I do to help him commemorate and celebrate this milestone? Hubby is not the party type but I asked if he wanted one, just to confirm. Next idea – take a trip. But how to make it special, not just another vacation? Aha, I said to myself… what better way to celebrate turning 50 than with old (as in long-term and aging) friends who are turning 50 as well!?
So three years ago I started plotting in earnest and contacted the wives of two of my husband’s friends to see if they would be willing to join me in surprising the guys with a group vacation. And the planning and organizing gradually took off and resulted in a great long weekend on Sanibel Island in Florida and some very surprised husbands:) The guys have known each other since attending grade school through high school together. They later were housemates while attending grad school (which is when I met them all) and were in each others’ weddings. But for more than the last 20 years they have moved on with their lives, literally, now living in different states and going years without seeing each other.
Until this weekend, when the three musketeers were together again, wives by their sides:) Everyone had a lot of fun, a lot of laughs, a lot of sun, a lot of reminiscing, a lot of sand, a little frisbee, a little kayaking, a little bike riding (not me), a little shopping, a little shuffleboard, a lot of food… but I will talk about my eating tomorrow.
All in all it was a great trip. Now I am back to reality with a pile of mail on my table and a slew of blogs in my reader. Exercise first… catch up later.
Waisting Time 
It sounds like a great group of friends & a great trip!
I’m stopping by to welcome you to SITS. I’m also hosting a giveaway on my blog if your interested in stopping by.
Thanks for the welcome Mimi:)
That was a really great idea! Sanibel is beautiful, and so are childhood friends. What fun!
My husband is lucky to have friends like that who have stood the test of time.
How cool is that? I was born and raised in Ft Myers and we went to Sanibel all the time. I have friends who live on the island and we go down that way at least once a year.
Glad you had a good time…
I bet you could have told me the best places to eat!! I could easily vacation there again. When I don’t have a broken bone that keeps me off the bike paths!
Oh how fun! What a nice gift… I’m sure your hubby loved it! 🙂
.-= Anna´s last blog ..Back to the daily grind =-.
I think he enjoyed it. I did too:)
So glad you’re back and had a good trip. I know it’s overwhelming to have all of those blogs to catch up on! I’m still working on that too! 🙂
.-= Anonymous Fat Girl´s last blog ..P90X update; know-it-alls; what do you want to BE? =-.
I had to let go of my inner perfectionist and dedicate less time to reading them than I normally would, less time commenting. My google reader was overflowing!
That sounds like a wonderful surprise! 🙂
I also have a pile of mail sitting around at home- I promised myself I’d take care of it today…
.-= beerab´s last blog ..For the first time =-.
It is always so hard to come back to the stacks of mail and the laundry and the other stuff…
It’s great to have you back! I’m glad you had such a wonderful time!
.-= Carla´s last blog ..Outdoor running vs. indoor running =-.
Thanks Carla.
you are such a thoughtful wife! glad you all had such a great time.
we are heading to marco island in the fall.
We were there once years ago and I still remember eating a yummy fried grouper sandwich. It is always about the food:(
What a wonderful surprise for your DH (and all of the guys!) Your DH is a lucky man. That will be a birthday that he will never forget. 😉
I hope you are right:) It was fun to build new memories with old friends.
I loved the update! It’s like I was there 🙂 I am glad that you all had a blast! Can’t wait to hear about how you ate on VACATION 🙂
.-= Corletta Brown´s last blog ..3 MORE DAYS……HOWEVER : ) =-.
That is coming soon…
What a great idea. I love Sanibel … it is so beautiful there. Makes me think I should come up with something special for DH’s 60th next year.
.-= Siobhan´s last blog ..A new day =-.
The best part is if you plan something that includes you so you can enjoy it as well! Our gang started talking about another destination for the 60th but I’ll see if that ever happens.
What a wonderful way to commemorate the big 5-0 for your hubby! And, Sanibel Island – truly beautiful. (I soooo miss the ocean, but this isn’t about me, oops.) Glad you had fun watching him have fun and that your arm stayed safe!
Can’t wait to hear how you handled food. I’m anxious about our impending trip next week. Share!
Jan
.-= Sskar´s last blog ..Forty Percent Off! =-.
I wrote about it already and will post tomorrow. I could go on and on and on but didn’t. During the trip I kept wondering what I would blog about the food when I got back!
What a great surprise. I’ll have to remember that for when my husband has his big 5-0 in a few years. I’ll bet it was a lot of fun catching up.
.-= karen@fitnessjourney´s last blog ..Four-legged Fitness Buddies =-.
Catching up was fun, reminiscing was full of laughs.
What a great idea! It sounds like a *wonderful* trip!
.-= Cammy@TippyToeDiet´s last blog ..Breaking News!! =-.
It was lots of fun Cammy. I am ready to go again!
How fun! What a wonderful thing to do. We used to live in Northern Florida and went to St. George Island all the time! I’ve never been to Sanibel.
.-= Diane Fit to the Finish´s last blog ..How To Cook And Still Stay On Plan =-.
And I have never even HEARD of St. George Island! Someplace new for me to check out. There were lots of families on Sanibel. I can picture your gang biking along single file:)
what a thoughtful trip! Sounds awesome!
.-= Sunny´s last blog ..Outback SUCKS! =-.
Sunny! Hey you:) Hope all is well.
This was the best time to go.
Florida in July is not as much fun as it sounds. Although I’d take growing up with the heat in the south than the snow up north. The south was only fun as a kid. Having to drive in it or shovel it as an adult? No, thanks.
I’m not a party person either yet people keep trying to convince me that I am. Never understood that. I’m glad you honored your husbands request. The trip sounds like it was more fun than any party could be.
.-= Adrienne´s last blog ..6 Days & 6 Ways to Improve My Health =-.
Luckily for my husband, I am not a party person either. We have been to some huge surprise parties and always agree we soooo would not like that for ourselves.
And I think we got lucky with our timing – off season but not too hot yet. Unfortunately it was very windy so our boat excursion got canceled and the bikers got to pedal extra hard!
I could see life someday with a nice winter home somewhere warm, away from the snow, where I could take walks outside or bike year round.
Karen, you’ve got me thinking about my 50th b-day last month and how I should be able to squeeze some amazing belated getaway out of my husband for it! Also, he turned 55 so I could pretend it’s for him too! Two big birthdays equals…Hawaii?
Can’t wait to read the food confessions! 🙂
.-= Linda at Bar Mitzvahzilla´s last blog ..Scaled Down =-.
OMG yes! Go for it! I have already told my husband that I think we should take a big trip for my 50th in 3 years since we will be empty nesters. Alaska? African safari? he said he already has something in mind. Hmm. He is not the advance planner I am and I am not one who likes surprises.
What a fantastic idea! Good on you, I am sure all the planning and inevitable headaches paid off. What lucky husbands!
.-= Hauling Uphill´s last blog ..Skinny You Want And You Shall Receive =-.
I did not bore you all with the details but the planning was quite a challenge and the headaches were many. Well worth it though.