I cannot put in to words how amazing my birthday was, so I decided to photo document my day. I'm sure you're shocked!
When I woke up this morning, I found a note underneath the birthday reminder I left Matthew ;) that was the sweetest compliment a woman could ever receive. As much as I strive to be, I cannot compare to the woman described in Proverbs 31, but I do appreciate my husband thinking that I am. Along with this was a card and my favorite Larabars on the counter.
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The card mentioned that today was Scavenger Hunt Birthday and included an address and a time to be there.
If you know my husband, you know that he can get me in to some crazy stuff. Remember the vocal lesson he got me with Debra Byrd from American Idol? I don't know how he does it, but he does! Well, I didn't know what I was in store for. I'm not huge on surprises simply because there's no way to plan for them. I mean, what if it was a massage? A man doesn't think about the preparation that comes before a massage. You know? TMI? Sorry! You know what I mean! I like to be prepared. I like to know how to dress. If I over dress it sends the message, "oh, I thought you were taking me to High Cotton," but if I underdress, it says, "that poor girl didn't know that she wasn't supposed to wear her jeggings here." Even though I struggled with these thoughts all day, it was PERFECT!!!
I told MC that we were headed out on a treasure hunt, and she said, "we need a tent, a backpack, and a map!" She could have quite possibly been just as excited as I was. She also told me in the car that she thought we'd find: gold coins, a rooster, and a lion. I don't even ask anymore where she comes up with this stuff! Nevertheless, she was pumped!
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11:25 AM - I pull in to Dr. Alpert, Hill, Caputo Dentistry where my mother in law works. She handed me a box of my favorite cupcakes from a cupcake shop that is conveniently located down the street from our house. (I thought it was a bit ironic that I got cupcakes at a dentist's office!) I also received a map with the next destination and clue, it said, "Find the King of Coke Zero."
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12:00 PM - I knew immediately that I was looking for our friend, Chris Causey. As much as I like to pride myself in that fact that I am a Coke Zero Connoisseur, I don't even come close to Chris Causey and his Coke Zero. We get in the car and immediately head to our church, where Chris works. My sweet friend, Beth, gave us instructions to find the king in his office. He sat with a gold crown on his head, waiting for us to arrive. He not only had a cold can of Coke Zero waiting for me, but a twelve pack, crowns, and a video message with my next clue.
The video was made by my best friend, Jane, giving me my next clue. I seriously had to fight back tears, mainly because I knew how awkward it would've been for Chris! :) I was just overwhelmed with the hard work Matthew put in to this, and our friend's roles in it, and because I truly miss my sweet Jane so much! Here is the next clue...(the odd noise you hear is not only the HG Mockingjay call, it's also used to cover up the address of the next destination! :)
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1:30 PM - Next stop, Matthew's grandmother's house. When we walked in, there were 33 balloons on the ceiling (32 and one to grow on) I had to pop them to find clues/surprises. Some of the notes were for me and some for MC. The notes revealed a surprise in the refrigerator for me and MC (a blackberry IZZE for me & a Sprite for MC). We don't usually let her have soda, so this was a treat! :) She also got a coloring book designed by her daddy! Then, I got the clue to the next destination...a map to the mall (like I needed that) and a note that said to buy what I wanted. I was a little nervous that Ashton Kutcher was going to pop out at this point and tell me that I was punked, but to my surprise, Ashton never came! I was also told to be at Francescas in the mall at 3:30 sharp. Hmm...
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3:30 PM - After a hard day of shopping, I was browsing in Francescas, when I heard a familiar voice behind me. I turned to find my beautiful friend, Allison, holding a bag with my next clue...a map to the QT gas station and a menu with highlighted marks on it. The menu was to a restaurant in Charlotte called, Cowfish, that I have wanted to try ever since The Bachelorette, Emily Maynard, tweeted that it was her favorite. (Sidenote: During her season on The Bachelor, Matthew repeatedly had to remind me that I wasn't really friends with Emily! I just felt like we were!) Oh, you're just now finding out that I am crazy? :) Anyway, it's a good thing that my REAL friend, Allison was there, because I needed her opinion on a couple of dresses that I surely didn't have time to try on, but did anyway. While I was in the dressing room, Allison snuck up to a different store to buy me this awesome yellow braided belt that complemented the navy/white striped dress that I was debating. If I would've had clothes on, I would have run after her, but I truly do appreciate the gift!
4:00 PM - (ok, it was 4:15 PM because of the dressing room incident) I met my pretty husband at the QT gas station where we began our journey to Charlotte, our final destination. While Matthew drove, I "liked" every Happy Birthday message I received and was thankful for them, and then took a look at the highlighted marks on the menu. Matthew went through and highlighted all of the things on the menu that he thought that I'd like, which could've gotten messy had I been doing it. Everything sounded divine!
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5:30 PM - We wait. Waiting on a Tuesday afternoon lets you know that the food must be good! Since we had already made up our mind on the ride over what we were going to eat, I decided to take a "few" pics of us. Twenty shots later, as people stared, Matthew had enough, but not I. I kept shooting with him looking away. It really helps the time pass quickly, you should try it next time you have a wait. Trust me, your significant other will LOVE it! So, the restaurant is named, Cowfish, because they serve burgers and sushi. Get it? Here is what we got:
1. Lobster and Crab Spring Rolls
2. The Deliverance Sushi Roll - Pulled Pork, BBQ Sauce, Bacon, and Coleslaw
3. The Filet Oscar Sushi Roll - Filet Mignon, Portebello Mushroom, Asparagus, Topped with a Crab Cake
4. Apple Pie Wontons Topped with a Caramel Sauce and served with Vanilla Ice Cream
There you have it...the absolute greatest scavenger hunt ever! I am so blessed to have the most unbelievable husband. I would also like to thank all of our friends and family who helped make this possible, and although that sounds like an Oscar speech, I am totally serious! You guys are so special to us and I am so thankful to call you friends!
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The card mentioned that today was Scavenger Hunt Birthday and included an address and a time to be there. .JPG)
11:25 AM - I pull in to Dr. Alpert, Hill, Caputo Dentistry where my mother in law works. She handed me a box of my favorite cupcakes from a cupcake shop that is conveniently located down the street from our house. (I thought it was a bit ironic that I got cupcakes at a dentist's office!) I also received a map with the next destination and clue, it said, "Find the King of Coke Zero." .JPG)
12:00 PM - I knew immediately that I was looking for our friend, Chris Causey. As much as I like to pride myself in that fact that I am a Coke Zero Connoisseur, I don't even come close to Chris Causey and his Coke Zero. We get in the car and immediately head to our church, where Chris works. My sweet friend, Beth, gave us instructions to find the king in his office. He sat with a gold crown on his head, waiting for us to arrive. He not only had a cold can of Coke Zero waiting for me, but a twelve pack, crowns, and a video message with my next clue. .JPG)
1:30 PM - Next stop, Matthew's grandmother's house. When we walked in, there were 33 balloons on the ceiling (32 and one to grow on) I had to pop them to find clues/surprises. Some of the notes were for me and some for MC. The notes revealed a surprise in the refrigerator for me and MC (a blackberry IZZE for me & a Sprite for MC). We don't usually let her have soda, so this was a treat! :) She also got a coloring book designed by her daddy! Then, I got the clue to the next destination...a map to the mall (like I needed that) and a note that said to buy what I wanted. I was a little nervous that Ashton Kutcher was going to pop out at this point and tell me that I was punked, but to my surprise, Ashton never came! I was also told to be at Francescas in the mall at 3:30 sharp. Hmm....JPG)
3:30 PM - After a hard day of shopping, I was browsing in Francescas, when I heard a familiar voice behind me. I turned to find my beautiful friend, Allison, holding a bag with my next clue...a map to the QT gas station and a menu with highlighted marks on it. The menu was to a restaurant in Charlotte called, Cowfish, that I have wanted to try ever since The Bachelorette, Emily Maynard, tweeted that it was her favorite. (Sidenote: During her season on The Bachelor, Matthew repeatedly had to remind me that I wasn't really friends with Emily! I just felt like we were!) Oh, you're just now finding out that I am crazy? :) Anyway, it's a good thing that my REAL friend, Allison was there, because I needed her opinion on a couple of dresses that I surely didn't have time to try on, but did anyway. While I was in the dressing room, Allison snuck up to a different store to buy me this awesome yellow braided belt that complemented the navy/white striped dress that I was debating. If I would've had clothes on, I would have run after her, but I truly do appreciate the gift! .JPG)
5:30 PM - We wait. Waiting on a Tuesday afternoon lets you know that the food must be good! Since we had already made up our mind on the ride over what we were going to eat, I decided to take a "few" pics of us. Twenty shots later, as people stared, Matthew had enough, but not I. I kept shooting with him looking away. It really helps the time pass quickly, you should try it next time you have a wait. Trust me, your significant other will LOVE it! So, the restaurant is named, Cowfish, because they serve burgers and sushi. Get it? Here is what we got: 
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