I got fooled yesterday.
Last week, my friend Robin called to ask if Brian and I would accompany him to a fundraiser in the city for Sarah Jessica Parker’s new charity. He told me that the tickets were $250 a piece, and that he had already taken it upon himself to get us the tickets. (As if I would ever say no to the opportunity to meet SJP.) It was supposed to start at 3 pm yesterday, so we had plans to meet at Robin’s apartment for 12:30 for mimosas. We were then going to grab the train right after.
In the meantime, I had been wracking my brain what to wear to this thing. I ended up wearing a yellow, black and white mini print dress with black heels and a black shrug. Nothing too fancy, but I thought decent enough to meet SJP.
Yesterday morning, I made some chocolate covered strawberries and was running around all over the place, late as usual. I left the apartment armed with my new camera and a huge Tele Converter lens so that if I didn’t get to meet her, at least I would be able to get a really good shot of her.
So, Brian and I leave at 12:30 sharp. Walk up the street past TNT where we had breakfast that morning, and wave to Teresa. Walk past the flower shop, past the bank and dry cleaners… and come up to my restaurant.
Dean, my boss, is outside, washing the windows. As we get closer to him, Brian slows down to say hello to him. Now, at this point, I have no intention of stopping to talk to Dean, because we are so late. So, I look at Brian with the “are-you-kidding-me-right-now” stare.
Suddenly, Brian offers Dean a chocolate covered strawberry. Dean says, “Sure, I would love one… come on in.” It was at this time that I had a complete moment of clarity. There was going to be no SJP.
I stepped into the restaurant, glaring at Brian… and turn the corner to all of my favorite New York girls yelling, “SURPRISE!!”
It just goes to show how completely gullible I am. I mean, it was kind of mean that they would use my idol as a means to get me someplace, but all the same… it was worth every second of it.
My Mom and Aunt made it down for the shower, too, which was the best part. It was just so awesome to have everyone in my restaurant. I was so comfortable. I felt like I was in my own living room. The food was amazing, too. It just felt like such a laid back afternoon.
Isn’t it funny how surprises work? They are just big secrets for everyone to keep. I don’t like surprises, because I don’t like secrets. I don’t like to be unprepared for things.
In this instance, it was so cool to have everyone keep this secret from me, not to mention how long the planning had been going on. The best was hearing how close I had come to figuring it out. Gina told me thatwhen we were getting hammered off Aaron’s homemade Sangria on Sat night, she had to think with every sip not say anything to me that might have given me a clue. Brian is getting good at these surprises, too. This is the second time that he really got me. First with our engagement, and now this one. It makes me laugh, because Brian and I tell each other everything. It isn't easy for us to keep secrets from each other. We tell each other so much, that you could say to yourself, “There’s no way Brian told her about that.” And oh yeah… he has.
I’ve been thinking a lot about secrets lately. I’ve been thinking about how easy it is to tell a lie. For some people and some relationships, it can all unravel at the seams because of secrets kept. The way that some people lock up their feelings. Sometimes its the way that someone really wants to do something, but holds back for fear of what the consequences would be.
For example, in pre-cana, Brian had the guts to tell me something about me that he didn’t like. And I was shocked he hadn’t told me before that day! Really, its all about the element of surprise and how you can handle it.
Some people put up a great façade. They pretend to have complete honesty with you. When you know deep down there is something that they aren’t telling you. When it comes down to it, life is too short to lie. To me, it’s too hard carrying a burden like that. Not to mention, dishonest people are usually the weakest in the test of time. And if you ever have been lied to? You know, the kind where you catch them in a complete and ugly falsehood that they are saying straight to your face? Don't worry... karma will get them in the end.
When I was younger, I used to fib. You know- little white lies here and there. No matter what, I always got caught. It really is difficult to just sit down and tell the truth. It’s so much easier to sugar coat things, instead of saying what you really feel. There really is something to the line, “The truth will set you free.”
Why pretend to like someone when you really don’t? Why keep a secret that weighs on you so heavy that it makes you miserable? It’s all about honesty in my book. If you are going to be unfaithful to a friend or family member by keeping a secret or living a lie, it’s going to poison you. It will chew you up and spit you out. It just isn’t worth it.
Anyway, I was lied to yesterday. It was a beautiful and joyous lie, the kind that brings family and good people together for laughs and smiles. It was the best kind of surprise that brought out the excitement and happiness that a surprise should bring you, with all of the honest love that true friends have to give each other.
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