Operation Thank You

This past Saturday began with a 6:40 am wake up call. Ben told me we had 7 am breakfast reservations that we couldn’t be late for. I spent the next few minutes muttering something about “Who makes reservations for 7 am on a Saturday morning?” as we quickly rushed out the door.

Once in the car, I was led to believe that we were going to Annapolis for a sunrise breakfast. However, after we crossed the Bay Bridge, it was obvious we were going somewhere other than Annapolis. Ben had me open the glove compartment and there I found a to-go breakfast (fruit, luna bar) and the following note. Ben had pulled off his best surprise yet on a person who is not easily surprised.

You see, as many of you are probably aware (whether or not you’ve thought about it or not), Ben and I have some unfinished business – wedding thank you’s. We sent out a wave of cards last fall and then a trickle throughout the winter, but still had plenty left to write. It really is an overwhelming task to write hundreds of cards when you want them to be meaningful and not just a simple “Thanks! We love it! Bye!” Fortunately, formality gives a year from the wedding date to write thanks you’s, but for the last 10 months I’ve felt a fair amount of guilt for not expressing the proper thanks people deserve in a timely manner. And, with June 7^th right around the corner, crunch time was fast approaching.

Last month Ben said he had a fail proof plan for completing thank you’s that would be implemented when the time was right. As I learned Saturday morning, that plan involved removing ourselves from an ever distracting DC and going on a weekend writing retreat to the beach.

We spent Saturday and Sunday at Rehoboth beach in Delaware, and returned yesterday afternoon. It turned out to be an extremely productive writing retreat mixed with some vacation fun. In addition to finishing the bulk of our thanks you’s (Ben is completely finished; I have a few left), we fit in shopping at the outlets, a walk down the boardwalk to the beach, dinner, a movie, and a swim at the hotel pool.


Ben doesn’t like most kinds of sugar, but he does love a good gummy. Here is his favorite candy shop/a new Rehoboth tradition (it was his second time going), the Candy Kitchen.

Kudos to Ben for pulling off an enjoyable weekend and the surprise operation. I definitely made him work to get me away for the weekend. I had arranged with a friend to meet up and go to the gym Saturday morning. Another friend was down for the weekend from NYC and we were planning to get together. My social planning efforts and Ben’s kidnapping plan left the two of us working towards opposite purposes once again. Quote of the whole ordeal, Ben to a friend: “I’m unraveling this social web as fast as she can knit it!” Everything worked out well and we returned in time to meet up with friends for an afternoon picnic at the arboretum, stop by another get together, and then have two hours at home to straighten up and get ready for the week.

For those still awaiting a thank you, do not fear. We are putting addresses on envelops this week, and mailing all cards on Saturday. My profuse apologies for the delay and our sincere (belated) thanks!