Best Thursday Ever

Two Thursdays ago, I got the best surprise! I went in to work in training mode ready to work with Kelsey my sweet replacement and within 10 minutes of us talking, 3 of my coworkers kidnapped me. They would give nothing away, they just told me to get into the car. I was so excited because UpStreet peeps know how to party! Also I am a big fan of surprises so I was trying to appear calm on the outside but was jumping up and down on the inside.

We all loaded up in the car and headed away from work and pulled into Summer Nails!! I absolutely love getting my nails done. If I ever get some extra cash, it’s one of the first stops on the list. Nothing says lady to me like pretty nails. So… we get out of the car and Sarah opened the door to reveal a NAIL PARTY! There were streamers, balloons, coffee and muffins and every sweet face that has been a part of my life for the past 5 years. These UpStreet women have walked with me through so many ups and downs and just looking around at each of them and remembering all that we shared was honestly quite emotional.

I finally picked out a color with the help of my friend Kathy and off to the chair I went. While talking to my nail techs and telling them about why I was leaving, one of them busted out with some German! What are the odds of a Vietnemese nail guy talking to you in German about going to live in Austria. Apparently pretty good if you live in Alpharetta!

The mani/pedi began and I was having a great time talking to everyone and laughing. As it neared lunchtime I felt a little sad honestly that the party had to stop because I knew that the majority of them had to go to a meeting at noon. I was planning in my mind what I was going to do and how I could squeeze in some more work to get Kelsey trained. Just about that time, in walks my man. I immediately began to cry. Not sure why I think I was just so happy that he could share in this moment with me. Then I thought oh how perfect they told him we were here and now HE can take me to lunch!

But….it was about to be so much better than that! The big announcement came. “We have arranged for you and Ian to go to stay at the W in Buckhead and for you to enjoy dinner at Pacci . We’ve made arrangements for your kids so all you have to do is go.” I was hysterically happy! I mean seriously. Ian and I have not had a night away together since last April. And the thought of sleeping without the buzz of a baby monitor….So incredible. A meal without telling someone to sit down or stop doing something…divine!

We walk out of the salon and there are our uh-mazing friends family Joy and Marcel waiting to trade cars with us so that they could step in and take over for us at home while we got a night away to play. It was honestly the BEST GIFT EVER. So thoughtful and just what we needed. We thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. It was one heck of a good-bye party and an amazing gift that I will treasure forever.