October 14, 2009
Surprise Party – Cameo Appearance by Marilyn Monroe?
The other day my lovely wife, Heather, threw me a surprise party – just to celebrate me! Wow! I’ve never heard of such a thing but it was well attended and my friends sure made me feel loved and appreciated. (Even if I did pick up the tab) A good time was had by all. It was one of those things where the surprises just kept coming. It all started with Heather explaining that I must be home on Saturday night because we were meeting some friends for dinner. Nothing terribly unusual there but then a business trip came up. I asked if it would be possible to reschedule our dinner with friends and by her reaction, I knew that wasn’t going to happen. I then casually asked who were going to dinner with again? And she refused to tell me. Her response was something like “I told you before and you just don’t remember, so I’m not going to tell you. You’ll just try to reschedule with them.” She said it in a very loving tone but having been married for a decade, I knew this wasn’t a battle that I was going to win. 
Fast forward to the Saturday night. The sitter has come for the children and they run off to play in their room. No big deal, nothing unusual there. But then Heather takes FOREVER to get ready. I mean FOREVER. Down to “honey do these shoes look better or do these shoes look better?” By this point, I’m getting irritated. Did I mention that I had been in bed with the flu for that week? So I wasn’t feeling well anyway and she’s asking me about her shoes? for a routine dinner with mystery friends? To make a very long story a bit shorter, the door bell rings and there is a chauffeur standing at the door and a stretch Expedition limo in the street. Finally it occurred to me that something strange is going on. But true to form, my initial reaction was, “she ordered a limo with a five hour minimum to go 5 minutes down the street?” She lovingly explained that she got a special rate for an hour and we set off in the limo. The kids appeared shortly after the limo driver did, dressed to the hilt. Daughter in party dress and son in suit and tie. The went for a short ride with us in the limo and they instantly started requesting that we buy one. Ha. That’s not going to happen. But it was a thrill nonetheless.
At the restaurant I was surprised by a group of wonderful friends (most of whom I am in a mastermind group with) and we instantly started a mini-mastermind meeting over cocktails. We can’t help it – that’s how we roll. We’re all in businesses that we love and are constantly striving to improve and most importantly – help each other – totally unselfishly. Mastermind groups are awesome.
The last surprise of the evening was just before dinner when Marilyn Monroe appears. She sings me a couple of songs (video below) and then she announces that she has appeared courtesy of the Bisnar Law Firm. My good friend and mastermind partner, Newport Beach, California Personal Injury Attorney, John Bisnar from really got me that time. I’m going to think long and hard about how to repay him! A great time was had by all. It’s feels nice to have so many great friends.
I posted the video of Marilyn singing to me in case you wanted to check it out. I think the most funny aspect is that I don’t quite know how to react to it! The first few seconds are audio only but the video does start soon.
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Comments on Surprise Party – Cameo Appearance by Marilyn Monroe? »
Dude,
Your story drew me into it like a suspense novel and I had to watch the video. Yes, looks like
good time was had by all and hope I’ll be at the next one. You also made a very good point –
don’t wait for special occasion to celebrate, do it now and often. Heather was awesome to make
an ordinary night into a memorable night. Life is not measured by the number of breaths you
take, but by the number of breath taking moments you create.
Great job Heather and thanks for sharing, Darrin!
In the spirit of celebration,
Roger Salam, The Chairman