A Comedy of Errors

A funny thing happened on my way to my Birthday Celebration last Friday.
It was a normal Friday at work my friends had bought me a cake but I still had no idea how or if there would be any celebration with my family. At approximately 3pm I get a cryptic text telling me to be home and dressed to leave for dinner at 7pm. Trying to be coy I replied "How Dressed"
I quickly got a "DRESSED" reply. I of course am happy to share this news with the women in my office with the hope of creating some jealousy in good fun. My brain is now focused on what the evening ahead has in store and as a result on my way home I look at the gas gauge and realize I have now been driving on empty for two whole days. I feel a tightening in my stomach but I can see the home stretch and think like a little engine " I think I can, I think I can" I cannot!
I am able to pull my car to the side of the road and begin my trek on foot to the house in my suit.
A fellow baseball mom stops and asks me what I am doing. Although terribly embarrassed, I explained my dilemma. She could have easily mistaken my red glow as being a result of the almost 100 degree temperature outside.
She generously drops at my doorstep. It is at this point I realize I have no house keys or garage door opener since it is in the CAR. (Enter Expletives Here) I dig right down to the bottom of my soul to get in touch with my inner McGyver and approach the back door. Yes, it is locked too, but the dog door has my name all over it. With half of my body inside the house I feel the cool air and think, "Is this how I will spend the last year in my 30s?"
Once inside the house, I quickly run upstairs and into the closet where I am faced with yet more life altering decisions. " What will I wear?" Feeling confident in my selection of an orange sherbet and white polka dot halter dress I am now anxiously awaiting my 7:00 o'clock surprise. It's now 7:15, I turn on the TV because the wait in the quiet house is too much to bare. While watching Clint and Stacy on "What Not to Wear" I become self conscious about my attire choice and reexamine the look in the large mirror in the front room. It is now 7:30- " Why am I all dressed up with no place to go on my Birthday?" 7:40 the phone rings, " Where are you?" Brad asks impatiently. " Where am I supposed to be?" I replied. Brad quickly says, " I'll call you back" and hangs up. I call Brad back 5 minutes later he is eager to get me off the phone and sounds like he's at a bar. I am now thoroughly confused and look out the window think maybe a neighbor was supposed to come get me.
Just then a knock at the door and there is a driver and a black Lincoln Towncar. The driver explains how he got lost and it is his 1st day on the job undoubtedly his last, since our ride was comped. The driver still didn't tell me where we were going but as I helped him navigate downtown my hopes were high for Perry's Steak house. There my husband had the table that overlooked the entire restaurant from the balcony covered with rose petals and my favorite Lobster tempura appetizer waiting for me.
Don't you wish all stories could have a happy ending?