birthday extravaganza
Niel and I spent both our birthdays with an ocean between us this year. I think that was a first for us.
birthday note
My man turned 34 at the end of July, just days before he flew back to America. (He is so much older than I am!) Since I wasn’t there for his party, I sent a birthday note for a friend to give him at his shindig. Niel and I chatted online as he read the note, which told him about some surprises I was saving for a week of summer birthday fun.
This is our first time together on Long Island in August, and I wanted Niel to experience some summery bliss. Tomorrow we’re going to a water park; later this week, we’re visiting the aquarium, picking fruit at a nearby farm, touring a local brewery, and kayaking in a state park. I’ve been letting Niel in on the surprises by revealing one a day since we reunited in DC.
The last one I revealed was the biggest. The best. The one I was most excited about. And his big birthday surprise took place today.
I sent Niel for a two-hour introductory flying lesson.
He loved it, and totally impressed the flight instructor with his “natural ability”. (He’s watched a lot of Discovery and History Channel!) When Niel came back into the office where I was waiting during his flight, he looked happier than I’ve seen him in a long time.
Happy birthday, Hombre! I love you!
@atangie says:
Can I just say…
The van Rensburgs are the coolest!!!
I love your spirit! :-)
It was fun hearing the stories when he got back to the house.
@danielleH says:
that’s is supercool.
what day is his birthday?
my favorite part of the letter…”up my short sleeves”
@cassgirl says:
So AWESOME… That is absolutely amazing!!!
His smile tells it all.
@cassgirl says:
The signature is amazing too!!
Awesome. Happy Birthdays!!
so cool Alece! Your a great wife!
So exciting!
What a great gift!
Great gift! Kev was a flight instructor for 5 years…..he would have loved to teach Neil! Glad he had a good time, that is a great gift. So creative!!!
Great gift! Congratulations
yeller — july 26th. and yeah, i was proud of that line too! ha ha!
sarah — we actually talked about kevin on our way there, remembering that he used to do that! so wild!
Awesomeness! You realize Oregon is only one day away…I’m just sayin’ ;) I absolutely love being part of your lives…thanks for sharin!
@coloraturajoy says:
i LOVE that!
what an awesome gift! next time, i’m calling you for gift advice. ;)
@coloraturajoy says:
i LOVE that!
what an awesome gift! next time, i’m calling you for gift advice. ;)
@ventigrace says:
he looks the part!! So glad it was a blast… how could it not be?! Such a great gift friend!
I think you are a very awesome and thoughtful wife. You ( and Niel) are very, encouraging and inspiring for me to watch. I love you (both) very very much!
debs — i hear oregon is beautiful… we tend to visit seattle on our ministry trips; i’m hoping that next time around we can get up to oregon, too. i’ve got me some girls i need to see!