The Surprise Factor

When I arrived in Gatlinburg yesterday to make my to the resort it was pretty early in the afternoon. I knew my parents would be out and about, most likely sight seeing in the Smoky Mountains. So I had plenty of time to kill. The plan was to surprise them at their room and be waiting outside when they pulled up. Well, of course today in the world of panic and fear I wasn’t able to get their room number, so I had to wait in the lobby to kill time. Eventually I found myself a delicious calzone down the street before coming back to the resort again.

From Baraga to Gatlinburg my parents trekked about 1,100 miles. Living in the U.P. adds a lot of miles to any trip; people in Detroit can make the trip to Gatlinburg in half the time and miles. My parents put a few hundred bucks into their car to make sure it was ready for the trip and exploring the Smoky Mountains, and they were off, without a hint that I would be there.

I was getting in my car to tour around the resort to see if my parent’s car was around. I started up the engine, rolled down my window, opened the sunroof, turned up the stereo and put the car into reverse. As I looked in the rearview mirror to backup, I SAW MY FATHER! I couldn’t believe. Not exactly how I wanted the surprise to go. As quick as I could I shifted back into park and jumped out of the car without turning it off and ran up to my parents to give them each a hug. It was a grand surprise. My mother had some tears, let out a scream, and was trembling with excitement. The surprise was worth 600 miles (and many more if I had to) just for that reaction.