Surprise: Our LDR is Over!!

Chris and I are SO very excited to become a regular live (and hopefully work) in the same city couple next week!!  We've been in a long distance relationship since the beginning...over three and a half years ago...and it was well past time to make the change!

This past weekend, I threw him a SURPRISE going away party in Albany!  It was about three weeks in the making, and I had help from several lovely friends in Albany.  I knew I wanted to make sure he had a really special experience because he has been in Albany for over nine years now.  He had his official going away party last night with friends and co-workers, but with it set for a weekday night I knew I wouldn't be able to attend...and I wanted to be there with him for a fun send off since Albany has played such a big part in our relationship as well.  So, I made a way.

It all started with an email to his friends and former roommates, Matt and Cara.  I pitched the idea to them asking them to help with the set up by making dinner plans with us for that Saturday night.  They were immediately on board.  After that, I touched base with Carolyn at Olde English Pub in an attempt to secure some space at their venue.  She was more than accommodating and so very helpful in reserving several tables in the upstairs area of the pub.  I've always liked this place and their fantastic cooperation and service for this event just solidified my previous feeling.

Once the venue was set, I began inviting friends to the party.  I reached out to everyone I knew asking them to spread the word as well.  I messaged facebook friends of Chris randomly about the event and fortunately everyone was super receptive.  I touched base with his co-worker, Alissa, to get the word out around there and much to my excitement she offered to help coordinate getting some cupcakes made.  You guys know how I feel about cupcakes :)

Thanks to Katie at The Albany Cupcakery for these yummy treats!!

With everyone invited and the awesome idea for cupcakes set, I headed up to Albany for the weekend.  I felt pretty good about him not suspecting anything all the way up until about an hour before dinner on that Saturday night.  Then, it almost all unraveled.  Someone texted him about what time people were meeting at the pub.  In the most bizarre of ways, I was able to play it off and convince him that I had mistakenly texted that person's girlfriend instead of another friend with the same name who Chris thought we were meeting up with later.  Seriously, I have no clue how I was able to convince him, but I was SO glad that I did.  The party would have still been fun without the surprise, but it just wouldn't have been the same.  Luckily, I didn't have to worry about that after all.

When he walked up those stairs, all his friends started clapping and he began to realize that everyone was there for HIM.  He was literally speechless.  And so very happy.  I was glad that I was able to organize something for him that allowed him to visit with so many friends one more time before he moves down to the city.  It was a special night for him most definitely.

 

We had a lot of fun and later that night Chris told me that it was one of the best moments of his life.  That made me really happy because I wanted him to have a wonderful night before he moves on to the next chapter of his life with me.  We are both beyond excited to be in the same city...finally!!  It's been a very long journey to get here, but worth every step along the way.

My favorite Alligator :)

Andrea :)