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Trip Report: How we became the "Surprise Guests"

Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2008 5:01 pm
by Bug
Last year, I was fortunate enough to be apart of the very first SOTB trip. I had a great time and made 5 new friends that I will never forget. When the trip ended, we immediately started planning for Round 2. Because of trips I already had planned, I knew that I didn't have enough vacation time to be able to attend. It sucked and I didn't like it :cry: So, I told them they had to plan their next trip without me. They ended up with 9 girls going this year and only 3 of them original SOTB'ers. How cool!

As time went on, I got even more depressed as it was looking as if it was going to be one of the largest forum gatherings in history. Many of the formities that we met before were going to be on island and I wanted to be there too. I whined....A LOT!!!

Beginning of October I came home from work to have my hubby tell me that he had a surprise for my upcoming birthday. He went on to tell me that it was obvious how much I wanted to be on STJ for my birthday and too see my SOTB Sistas and Forum Friends. Soooo...he went to my boss and asked him for a couple of extra days off. Apparently they worked something out (hopefully he didn't promise 80 hour weeks from me for the next year) and told me that we were going to STJ!

To say I was beyond happy was an understatement. He told me that since we always wanted to stay on Jost and also always intended to try Foxy's for Halloween (my favorite holiday) that he had made a plan for us. This was his plan...

Wednesday, Oct 29th - Arrive on STJ
Thursday, Oct 30th - Relax
Friday, Oct 31st - Take ferry to Jost, attend Foxy's Halloween Party, stay overnight at Perfect Pineapple
Saturday, Nov 1st - Ferry back to STJ
Sunday, Nov 2nd - Forum Gathering at BB
Monday, Nov 3rd - Relax
Tuesday, Nov 4th - Honeymoon Beach Forum Party
Wednesday, Nov 5th - Fly home :cry:

I couldn't have been happier with his plan and I couldn't wait to tell everyone I was coming, especially my SOTB Sista's. After Hubby and I talked for a little, we decided that it would be soooo cool to surprise them at the BB gathering. Since it was only 3 weeks away it wasn't like I had to keep the secret forever so we went with it. We came up with a plan and I called RickG to let him know we were coming and to get his help.

Over the next 3 weeks we did end up telling a few other forumites that we were coming but managed to keep the secret from the SOTB girls. We got some info from Ruth on the ferry to Jost, offered Captn'Jay and Deb our sofa bed so they could attend the BB Forum Gathering, and asked Nascar about a few villas. I swore each and every one of them to secrecy so I could surprise my SOTB Sista's. RickG even made us the "Surprise Guests" so the SOTB girls wouldn't know. A BIG thanks to everyone that kept my secret :wink: I really believe that I was more excited to surprise them than I was surprised myself. I guess the old saying that is better to give than to receive is dead on.

STJ here we come!

XOXO
Bug

Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2008 5:05 pm
by mbw1024
fun for you!

Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2008 6:13 pm
by Kathyzhere
Wow what a GREAT surprise Bug and I'd
say that your hubs is a keeper!! :D

...Not that you were thinking otherwise :wink:

Kathy

Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2008 6:39 pm
by sea-nile
Bug it was so good to see you! However, Rachael at One Love told us on Sunday as you know. Your husband is so great! I wish mine would surprise me with something like that!
I hope to see you in STJ again!!!

Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2008 7:25 pm
by augie
It was a nice surprise for those of us that hadn't yet met you in person too!

Good job Ed!

Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 8:07 am
by b-as-u-r
Hey Bug, it was great meeting you and your husband. Still wish you could have joined us for the week; maybe a future SOTB trip. Just to echo the sentiment, what an incredibly thoughtful thing for your husband to do. I cant' think of a better b-day gift. Gotta love a good surprise (and a good husband). Ali~

Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 8:20 am
by VaGirl
You got a keeper there in that hubby, Bug! Sorry I missed you; getting hurt the first day on island was NOT my idea of part of my vacation. But when "gathering day" rolled around, there was no way I could walk that path to Honeymoon...... :evil: So sorry I missed seeing you...SOTB II was fun but we missed ya!

Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 8:35 am
by jayseadee
Kudos to all the forumites that kept your secret.

It was great to finally meet you and Ed (and thank him for lending me cooler space at Honeymooon).

Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 8:42 am
by BOATSRUS
Bug... It was so good to see you again!... wish we could have partied a little more together..(the grannies still aren't quite sure about all my invisible friends)...Ed is a great guy, a definite keeper... I wish Jacka$$ would suprise me for my B-day... you guys had the ultimate trip... Halloween on Jost !'8)'.....Hope to see you next year!

Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 8:44 am
by Connie
What a great husband and what a great surprise!

Good for you!

Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 10:29 am
by mahojim
WOW.
Great love story, Bug. :wink:
Smiles-
MJ