Dear Humans,
This post is dedicated to my amazing surprise BBQ planned by my family to celebrate my graduation. I was so overwhelmed with the effort that everyone made and I will never forget this day. Thank you all so much, I believe my tears showed just how grateful I was and still am.
Initially I knew my mum was planning a BBQ for me on Sunday 17th following my graduation on the 12th. My graduation date happened to be the same date as my aunts birthday and she text me to let me know she had already invited friends over for a BBQ on the 17th. My mum simply rearranged for the following Sunday. On my graduation day we all had an wonderful day in Southampton and then travelled back on the train to London. While napping on the train with Sam I overheard my Aunty Merline inviting my Dad to my Unlce’s birthday party on Saturday 16th “See you on the weekend.” She said. I was half asleep at the time and I thought to myself 'Wouldn’t it be funny if they were planning me a surprise BBQ this Sunday and not next?' I brushed the idea off and continued to nap. I honestly hate that I am so good at guessing things like this.
As the week went on I put the thought of a surprise BBQ out of my mind, my cousin even asked me to accompany her at a face painting job (cocosfaceart) before my Aunts BBQ - seemed legit. In the week I asked my boyfriend what plans he had for Sunday? just to test the waters and he replied with "Why?" which was a bit fishy then he added that he may be coming to my aunts BBQ, so I just said ok. By the weekend I was pretty much over the idea that there could be a surprise and on Saturday I was busy getting ready for my Uncles birthday. As I was doing my sister’s makeup my cousin rang her and asked
“Are you going tomorrow, What are you wearing?”
Obviously she didn’t know I was in the background so I tried to talk loudly - justtttt incase there was a surprise.
“I thought you of all people would know what’s happening tomorrow.” She continued to say to my sister, of course they could have been talking about my aunts birthday party but I highly doubted it.
The icing on top of the cake was when my Dad called me...
“What time is your surprise thing?” He asked. My jaw literally dropped and I could not believe that those words came out of his mouth and I was kind of disappointed that I know really had to pretend to be surprised tomorrow.
“What are you talking about?” I replied, giving him a chance to redeem himself. “Your graduation pictures, when are they coming?” Absolute fail lol. I definitely knew there was a surprise BBQ but I didn’t want to ruin it for my family so I went along with it. That evening I asked my cousin what time her ‘mums’ BBQ started? So I could get an idea for the plan for tomorrow and she replied with ‘Why? Aren't you coming with Rebecca?” Obviously if it was truly just a BBQ for her mum she would have just replied with the time but I knew everyone was trying to keep the surprise and they did a good job apart from my Dad of course.
The next day I questioned whether there was really a face painting job as I asked my cousin “Where is the birthday party?” and she responded “What birthday party?”. It turns out there was a party and we were there for a couple of hours but apparently not long enough. Beck was ordered to stall me so that all my family and friends could get to my aunts. These errands included getting petrol, gas and electric, getting slush puppies and going back to her house 20 minutes away for foil containers that we ‘forgot’ - baring in mind that we were right next to my aunts house to begin with. I was definitely on to them but I didn’t mind as I knew what was to come, I pretended to be fake annoyed otherwise it would have been out of character for me. I arrived at my aunts and was surprised by all of my friends and family and we dance, ate and drank the evening away. I want to say a big thank you to my aunts and parents for everything you cooked, baked and organised for me. AN EVEN BIGGER THANK YOU TO EVERYONE FOR MY CAMERA AND LENS. I think the video below will give you an idea of just how special the day was for me and also why I call myself the biggest crier ever.
With Love,
Shay RS x
