If you know me, or have read a few of my blog posts, you likely know that I’m a planner. It’s in my DNA to take charge – either when no one else does, or even sometimes when someone else has taken the reins but is moving a little slowly for my taste – and plan everything down the last detail.
And I plan everything, from big events like family vacations and holidays, to smaller things like playdates and date nights. My brain never shuts off; I’m constantly thinking and making mental lists, even at 5am.
And when I’m NOT planning something, I tend to get a little…antsy. This also applies to surprises. While I love being surprised, I’m not very good at it.
For example, I had no idea that Mr. KK was going to propose on that cold, damp early March night. We were living in Boston, I was at work, and he called to tell me that he was coming into the city for a haircut. This plan seemed a little inconvenient to me (for him), so I started to think of other plans that would be more efficient time-wise for him. He still came into the city, and suggested we meet up outside my work when he was finished. It had started drizzling, but Mr. KK let me know that they were tearing down the roof deck of the building we used to live in. “I ran into the Super,” he told me. “He said we could go up and see it one last time.”
Immediately my body tensed and I went into Annoying Planner Mode. “But it’s raining,” I said to him. “Can we come back when it’s light out so we can actually see from up there?” None of these questions changed Mr. KK’s mind. The Super let us up in the elevator, all the while me complaining about the rain, my frizzy hair, and how I hated my outfit today. Did I mention I was wearing orange knee-high wellies? Super sexy and romantic for a proposal! We got up to the roof and Mr. KK got down on one knee, and you know the rest.
Aside from the engagement, there was ONE other time when Mr. KK pulled off the greatest surprise of all time. To celebrate my milestone birthday, he planned a trip for us to Mexico. BUT, we had a whole night of regular celebrations that included drinks and dinner and at a fancy schmancy restaurant. On the way home, he handed me an envelop. ‘What’s this?” I asked, holding the legal white envelop in my hand. Inside was my passport and and note that said we were going to Mexico for a week. MEXICO! Through my surprise and elation, I started to freak out. “Are we going now????” I asked him. When would I pack – I hadn’t even brought my summer clothes up from the basement yet – I needed a manicure and pedicure, we had ZERO sunscreen in the house. Who was going to watch the dog? “Relax,” he told me. “Leaving tonight would have been a bad surprise. We’re leaving in a few weeks.” PHEW. Mr. KK had even arranged my time off with my boss, all behind my back, that little sneak.
I think people tend to shy away from trying to surprise Planners. Or to even take the planning away from them. While I relish the control that comes with planning (sorry, but it’s true), I do like to have someone else take over every once in a while. Tell ME where we’re going, what we’re eating or where we’re doing for the weekend. I promise I will smile and keep all commentary to myself. But the big stuff, well, you can leave that planning to me. 🙂
For most other things, you can leave the planning to me.
Now, if everyone could turn to page 13 of their travel agenda…
Life of kk 