With the Greatest of Ease
Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at 09:38AM
TC turned thirty something on Saturday. I surprised him with tickets to a very funny afternoon off-broadway show and dinner at his favorite restaurant, plus a set of wine glasses to replace the ones that I have broken since his last birthday, and thanked him for being such a great husband, especially this last year. He thought that was it.
On Sunday we had vague plans to leave town. He thought we were taking the train up to Beacon for a bbq at Melanies house. He thought our friend Stephen was coming over for breakfast beforehand. He got up, walked the dog, and when he came back I told him that there was an emergency at Patchwork, I had to go and unlock the door for another teacher and would be back in forty-five minutes (full disclosure; I am usually the teacher who gets locked out at Patchwork and needs someone to come and save me) and to be ready to head to the train station. Instead, I went and picked up a happy little bright yellow convertible Mini, and with the help of our doorman (who rang TC and told him he had a delivery) and Stephen (who followed TC out with a bag packed for the day), scooped up a very surprised TC and headed north. He had no idea where we were going, which was funny because he was driving.
This is where I need to tell you something about Melanie Falick. As most of us know, she is the amazing editor behind STC Craft by day. But by weekend? She flies through the air. With the greatest of ease. Accompanied by her amazingly athletic son, B., who has over the years become one of my favorite youngsters. When I was telling Melanie about TC's birthday she suggested that we surprise him with a trapeze lesson, and I thought that sounded perfect. TC, after all, is Mr. Up For Anything.
We drove north for about two hours and exited the highway near New Paltz, NY. About five minutes after turning onto a narrow dirt road we were there: a towering system of poles and wires, and trapezes, a trio of ebullient instructors, and a simple picnic table with umbrella for shade, all sitting peacefully in the middle of a sprawling green meadow. Oh, and TC's classmates for the day: a little girls birthday party. That was pretty much my favorite part: watching him practice squats and positions with three ten year old girls. "He is always the tallest in his class", I explained to one of the moms. He did really well. By the end of the day (the session lasted about three hours, including one short delay brought on by a passing thunderstorm) TC was hanging by his knees, executing simple flips, and, most impressive of all, was even "caught" by an instructor who was hanging by his knees on another trapeze, which involved some pretty perfect timing.
These pictures sort of speak for themselves, don't you think? And that smile on his face in the last shot? It was still there this morning when he left for work.
Yes, actually. I AM wearing this dress every day this summer.
Melanie, about to be caught
B., letting go
TC, about to be caught
TC, smiling after being caught!
Reader Comments (16)
What a super idea for a birthday gift. The car-that just puts it over the top!
What a fantastic birthday surprise - how fun!!
I would LOVE to take trapeze lessons!!! Where do I sign up?
Inksomnia
What a fabulous birthday present! I think I would have wet my pants, but I bet it was a great high! (pun fully intended!)
Love that! You mean you weren't up there with him and Melanie?
wow! talk about a doozy of a birthday surprise. that will be a topper for years. and the smile is perfect, he looks like he is 10 again. happy late birthday, tc.
Fun! Are we going to see some illustrated aerialists?!
......love your blog, bought your book and love it too!.......and your fabrics!......you are a great storyteller !....
You?
Best
wife
EVER.
Awesome, I want to be your husband... let me know if there's an opening. ;-)
That is a freaky coincidence - I was just in NYC last weekend visiting my sister and we spontaneously decided to sign up for a trapeze lesson. They do them on the top of Pier 40. It was so awesome! Did you not participate as well? It looks like our class was pretty similar to this one (minus the 10 year-old girls). Anyway, it was a good idea for a birthday surprise, it looks like he had fun. I will definitely be doing it again on my next trip to New York.
You are the coolest wife. I loved your story. And of course the dress... love it.
I'm having a hard time finding the link to the sign up sheet for the "Oh-HeatherRoss-when-you-become-a-platonic-lesbian-polygamist-please-take-me-on-to-be-your-husband" Club.
marieke, that is possible one of my most favorite comments ever!
Do share which fabric you used for the black floral wear everyday this summer dress. And BTW the whole birthday present for your husband is over the top special.
I wasn't sure if your caption on the last photo was complete: "TC after being caught...wearing socks with flip flops".
Great gift.