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Iljimae wrote on 2014-07-25 08:14
My boyfriend is turning twenty-eight this Sunday and I wanted to make the day special for him since he hasn't gotten to celebrate in the past few years.
He's a pretty big Harry Potter fan, and while he has lived in Orlando for a few years, he's never been to the wizarding world attraction at Universal and with the new Diagon Alley area opening recently, I figured now would be an especially exciting time to go and bought us tickets for the day.
I also booked a reservation at a nearby hotel for the night there and got a reservation at one of his favorite restaurants, that also happens to be in the area, for dinner. I booked the hotel not only for the mini-vacation feel but so we can go swimming and float down the lazy river (one of his favorite things to do at pools as I discovered a few weeks ago) the day after his birthday. It also lets us relax and stay the day seeing all the park has to offer and go to the restaurant without having to drive back exhausted after.
As for birthday gifts, he's really into magic the gathering (competes in tournaments and such) so I've been poking around the past two months or so about his favorite artists/things he needs. I managed to get in contact with his favorite artist who has designed cards for MTG and got him a playmat of their artwork autographed with a happy birthday message written out to my boyfriend specifically.
It's my first time planning a somewhat big surprise for someone, I'm pretty excited! =D Although, I'm also really awful at keeping surprises and Sunday seems ways off. :llama_ohnoes:
Ever surprised anyone, Nation?
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Hanna wrote on 2014-07-25 08:17
I'm excited for him |:<
I don't plan surprises anymore, every time that I have I either got yelled at or it wasn't appreciated at all
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Space Pirate Nithiel wrote on 2014-07-25 08:22
Nope. Never been rich enough to surprise anyone. Unless you consider "Hey, I swept the floor while you were gone." a surprise.
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Iljimae wrote on 2014-07-25 08:38
Quote from Hanna;1234900:
I'm excited for him |:<
I don't plan surprises anymore, every time that I have I either got yelled at or it wasn't appreciated at all
I'm not sure how I'll be able to contain my excitment when I go over to his apartment Saturday. I'm bringing a birthday cake and some wine so hopefully that will be enough of a distraction for the night.
And I wouldn't give up on surprises just yet! Your surprises were probably really thoughtful and lots of others would love them. I suppose the reason I'm putting a lot into this is because I know he'll really enjoy it. I can recall others I've dated in the past where I'd be unsure planning something like this.
Quote from Space Pirate Nithiel;1234902:
Nope. Never been rich enough to surprise anyone. Unless you consider "Hey, I swept the floor while you were gone." a surprise.
Cleaning can be a nice surprise. =D I cat/apartment sat for him for two weeks while he was visiting family out of state about a month ago and cleaned around the apartment before he returned.
[SPOILER=" Bonus picture of one of his cats"]
[Image: http://puu.sh/aqhDR/ee6a60b58f.jpg]
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The only reason I'm able to afford this is budgeting away small amounts of money from work over time and discounts. Lots of Florida resident discounts.
Surprises don't have to be expensive though. Sometimes I bring over cheap chinese food from our favorite place randomly. Small gifts or gestures of thoughtfulness, that don't cost anything, can be great surprises.
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Aubog007 wrote on 2014-07-25 09:49
I hate surprises in general, but on your note, that sounds like a nice surprise. That card bit sounds the best since you went through all the effort.
But in general, i am a very methodical boring person, i don't surprise people, and they don't surprise me. It takes a certain touch to successful surprise me and make me happy. And very few people have that touch. I mean hell, someone could be like. "Hey I'm coming over in a half hour" me, "no. Plan ahead"
Yet they still do. *sigh*
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Campylobacter jejuni wrote on 2014-07-25 11:52
I got a cake for Hanna once, but that wasn't much of a surprise.
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Elleanior wrote on 2014-07-25 12:36
A visit to diagon alley will be a wonderful treat! I hope that he loves it, and that it goes well for you two!
:llama_blush:
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Hanna wrote on 2014-07-25 15:26
Quote from Campylobacter jejuni;1234933:
I got a cake for Hanna once, but that wasn't much of a surprise.
it was the best cake
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Taycat wrote on 2014-07-25 16:01
:llama_blush:
I just awed at this, I hope you guys have a wonderful time.
(take pics and show us and tell us how it was when you get back!)
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Brynn wrote on 2014-07-25 16:06
All I ask for is pictures.
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Space Pirate Nithiel wrote on 2014-07-25 19:39
They can't take pictures guys. If the muggles saw the pictures and figured out how to get in the game would be over. I don't think they can make that many memory charms.
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Splatulated wrote on 2014-07-25 20:11
ima kinda jelly that sounds really fun and cool hope its awesome as it sound ^-^
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Yoorah wrote on 2014-07-26 20:13
It's pretty awesome that you managed to get the autographed mat and all. :O I hope you two have a great time.
As for me, idk. My boss surprised me last Friday with a 20k+/yr raise. I then proceeded to surprise my parents, I suppose. :D
Other than that, my "surprises" usually involve me trolling my friends. By now, I don't think anyone is actually surprised anymore...
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Iljimae wrote on 2014-07-29 15:26
Everything went amazing and dinner was one of the best meals we've both had in awhile. The restaurant was pretty fancy and gave us a lot of extra free food for his birthday, including nearly a full glass of 20 year port with dessert instead of the usual small serving. Here are some of pictures! =D
Albeit, we didn't take very many at the theme park.
Dinner Pictures:
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[Image: https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/t1.0-9/10428076_1491985924380898_7453063874772729066_n.jpg]
[Image: https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t1.0-9/10419035_1491986001047557_3831949111406358649_n.jpg]
[Image: https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10502012_1491986077714216_482478715657648498_n.jpg?oh=e4935e7a30b0f14419dae275f519a7cc&oe=544A5E08&__gda__=1413228976_9677041550bea34d7a934a447ebd3a33]
[Image: https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/t1.0-9/10580198_1491986027714221_8539584333461050924_n.jpg]
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Theme Park:
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[Image: https://scontent-a-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/t1.0-9/1908051_1491985454380945_1803657166397796872_n.jpg]
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[Image: http://puu.sh/aw10o/5c8b43a0d6.jpg]
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Splatulated wrote on 2014-07-29 15:31
Quote from Iljimae;1235764:
Everything went amazing and dinner was one of the best meals we've both had in awhile. The restaurant was pretty fancy and gave us a lot of extra free food for his birthday, including nearly a full glass of 20 year port with dessert instead of the usual small serving. Here are some of pictures! =D
Albeit, we didn't take very many at the theme park.
Dinner Pictures:
[SPOILER=" "][Image: https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/t1.0-9/10428076_1491985924380898_7453063874772729066_n.jpg]
[Image: https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t1.0-9/10419035_1491986001047557_3831949111406358649_n.jpg]
[Image: https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10502012_1491986077714216_482478715657648498_n.jpg?oh=e4935e7a30b0f14419dae275f519a7cc&oe=544A5E08&__gda__=1413228976_9677041550bea34d7a934a447ebd3a33]
[Image: https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/t1.0-9/10580198_1491986027714221_8539584333461050924_n.jpg]
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Theme Park:
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[Image: https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/1560377_1491985184380972_5830212308811612815_n.jpg?oh=09488a50cdbecb63fa32d215031320d4&oe=54557EF8&__gda__=1414704164_0ae06aa7ef11e0b4abb6b804d8d2af91]
[Image: http://puu.sh/aw10o/5c8b43a0d6.jpg]
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how do go to diagon alley and not take many pictures .-.
id have taken 10 pictures of everything