Sonja's Easter Basket Surprise

Easter

Paul and I had a great Easter. We made each other Easter baskets and were excited to present them to each other before breakfast. We didn't really have baskets or grass, so we improvised. I found a shoe box and filled it with green tissue paper and Paul found a basket and used a green towel for the "grass". In my basket, among my favorite candies, was a little box holding an amazing diamond studded ring.

Earlier in the week Paul and I were shoe shopping. The only register open was at the jewelry counter. So, while Paul was buying his new shoes, I was checking out the goods under the glass. I tried one ring on that had caught my eye because I always wanted a ring like it. Paul liked it too. But then we left the store and never really talked about it again. I secretly hoped that he would get it and maybe surprise me with it someday. But I didn't think it would happen so I tried to not let my mind wander too much in that direction. So when I saw the box in my Easter basket I was so excited! I kept staring at it all day.

We had Easter lunch at our house. Paul made the ham and I decorated the tables outside. Everyone loved my chocolate covered pretzel sticks with sprinkles. We had a great time with Paul's parents and his two sisters and James, Lauren's husband.

After lunch Paul took a quick nap and then headed to church to prepare for his sermon. He preached really well tonight. He has grown to be an amazing preacher. A man with passion and clarity. After the service we had 12 college students over for a leftover dinner and fellowship. It was a great Easter.

An Easter Surprise

I woke up this morning to an out of the ordinary voice mail message. It was a lady with a sweet southern accent who said she was from A Florists. She said that she had a delivery for me and that I needed to call her back.

I know this might sound weird and awful but my first thought was that someone was playing a mean trick on me. Why else would they want me to call them. If they really had flowers for me they would just deliver them. I thought that maybe it was just a ploy to have me call back someone, since I do have a bad habit of not calling people back. I was tempted to just not call at all so that I would have the last laugh, but I was hopeful. I mean, how cool would that be to get flowers on Easter weekend to be able to display as the family comes over for a big Sunday lunch. Paul suggested I call them back. And to my surprise and delight when they answered the phone it was a legitimate florist! They were in the area and wanted to make sure I was home and if not where they could leave them. When I told them I was home they came over immediately. I think they were at the house 5 minutes after I spoke with them, if not less.

The lady got out of the car with a large, beautiful bouquet of flowers and gave them to me. I was still so amazed that anyone would send me flowers. Who could they be from?

I read the card and began to cry. My brother Tim. The person I would least expect to send me flowers had sent me flowers. And yet, if you know Tim at all, it was so fitting. He told me that he loved me and missed me and wanted to send me a little taste of spring. Paul and I hugged as I cried. Then I quickly placed them outside on our back table and we enjoyed breakfast with the sun shining, the birds singing, and flowers on my table. It was a wonderful way to start the Easter weekend.