Code names, people involved: Shade (me) & Shadow (Sam), Mrs. B., Mr. B, Melissa (surprisee), Charles (coming home for some R&R from the Army, surpriser)
Mission: Completed and Successful.
It all started about three Mondays ago (from tomorrow, of course). I got a call from Mrs. Barraza asking to help her with a super secret mission. Charles had told Melissa that he had been delayed a couple weeks, when he actually hadn't. Mrs. B asked if we could meet them at BJ's the following week and videotape Melissa's reaction when Charles brings Melissa a pizookie.
Well, that day came and Charles was delayed. Mrs. B, Melissa and Toni were in Fresno though, so we got to hangout and have dinner. We all knew what was supposed to happen that night, but Melissa had no idea. I think that made the dinner more fun. Secrecy!
At this point, I was a little disappointed that I wouldn't be able to be a part of the surprise. Well, the next week on Thursday, I got a text from Mrs. B. asking if I was available that night for Operation Dark Arrival. I was so excited to do this for such wonderful friends.
Side Note: Charles is the one who so generously broke into our apartment (with the key our office management gave him) on our wedding day because Sam left his passport in Fresno. Then he met us in Visalia to give us the passport so we saved a ton of time by not having to drive back to Fresno.
Part one of Operation Dark Arrival started with trying to coordinate a time to meet Mr. B at the mall while Melissa went into the Charming Charlie. We get to the mall searching for Mr. B's car, hoping that Melissa won't see us. Here's our Dark Arrival gear. Not the greatest disguise, but it's what we could pull off on short notice. Sam looks like he should be in a rap music video though.
We find Mr. B immediately, grab the camera and are on our way to the airport. Sam and I decide (or rather, I decided) that he's going to videotape, while I'll snap some pictures. We arrive at the airport and we sit down in the baggage area, where Charles was supposed to surprise Melissa, but quickly decide to find Charles' gate so Melissa doesn't see us.
Now, I know what you're wondering... "How did they get Melissa to the airport without her knowing?" Well, Mr. B cooked up this fantastic idea where Charles tells Melissa that he sent a package to the airport so she would have to pick it up. Well, the package turns out to be much larger than she could have expected.
We find the gate where Charles is supposed to come in. He's coming in from Dallas/Ft. Worth. The screen said it was on time, but 9:15 came and went. I was hoping that Mr. B was able to stall Melissa without her having any clue as to what was going on.
Finally... THE PLANE ARRIVES!!
Of course it takes time for people to get off the plane, so we looked for Charles coming in. We finally see him!! It was business time!
He's on the far left in his uniform.
He's in the back, you know, the tallest one.
Then we were instructed to interview Charles on camera.
It was then time to book it to baggage claim and hideout because Mr. B and Melissa weren't there yet. Because of the blurryness, I'm sure you can sense our pace.
Naturally, we decide to hide behind some luggage carts. Sam is still taping everything that is going on.
Finally, they're spotted!! Charles gets up and makes his way toward Melissa. The look on Melissa's face and her squeals of joy were so great! Here are the mushy pictures...
They were pretty much like that for five minutes.
Had to share this one because it's classic Melissa. So giggly and happy! Love it!
The thing I love about this picture is that it seems like time is standing still. Everyone else is getting baggage, greeting family and these two people who haven't seen each other in months, show their love and happiness in front of everyone. It was a touching moment and I was so happy to be a part of it.
It was a very successful and fun mission!!
Aww, I loved this story! Amazing that you got to be a part of it. =)
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