SURPRISE!

If there is one thing I have learned in 12 years of marriage it is that Scott is hard to surprise with a big gift. The hard part isn't pulling off the surprise. The hard part is trying to get Scott to let go of his OCD need to research every item he buys so he can be positive he is getting the most for his money (even when it isn't his money). This applies to everything from a shirt to a computer. Scott stresses a lot about purchases because he always has the fear there is something better out there that he will miss.  After many failed attempt at buying Scott a gift just for him to then research it on his own and end up returning my gift and getting what he found to be what he really wanted I just gave up. Instead of surprising him with things I just tell him what I'm planning on getting him and let him research to his hearts content and choose what he will end up getting anyway. I know it sounds lame (and it feels lame, too), but Scott is so much happier with something when he has thouroughly researched and found exactly what he wants.
So when I finally convinced Scott that it was time for him to upgrade to a new Mountain Bike this year and he turned to Steve to help him find the perfect bike I decided to take a chance and go for a big birthday surprise. Since he was looking to Steve to help guide him to the right bike anyway, I figured Steve could help guide me to the right bike without Scott knowing. So with a little sneaking Steve and I found a great bike for Scott. Steve did the negotiating and I picked the bike up and then stored it at Chris and Kacie's house until Scott's birthday. In the meantime Steve continued to humor Scott by looking for a new bike for him.
When Scott's birthday finally rolled around we set out the bike under one of the kids' awesome birthday posters. When Scott walked in the room and saw the bike I think his jaw might have actually hit the floor. It was quite possibly the greatest surprise I've ever pulled off.
In March Scott was able to take the bike down to Arizona to test it out with Steve. I am so glad that I was finally able to surprise him with something that he deserves so much.