Anyone who knows me well knows that I have a deep admiration for surprises. I love getting surprised, and I especially love surprising people. My sister, Rachel, gets a kick out of jumping out at people to jump-start their heart, while my other sister, Kyla, records their reaction so they can laugh about it for years and years…and years. I hope you’re reading this, girls. That’s not the type of surprise I mean. I love the type that makes others feel joy, so much that it causes them to tear up or lose speech.
The Joy of Surprising Others
In several instances, I’ve surprised my family members with an unexpected visit. Last year, we flew to Kansas on a whim (seriously, we purchased the plane tickets at the counter) and crashed my sister’s Fourth of July party where all my family was gathered. Throughout the night, my dad kept saying, “Best surprise ever.” Music to my ears!
Earlier this year, Heather and I rearranged Isaac’s office to our own liking while he was out on a trip. I think it looks really great, but the best part for me was his enthusiastic reaction to seeing his new setup.
Not Everyone Loves a Surprise
Not Everyone Loves a SurpriseMy husband, Jeremy, on the other hand, does not appreciate surprises as I do. He simply finds no enjoyment in being caught off guard. Because he worries others may feel the same way, he often considers surprising someone inappropriate. Fair enough. The conclusion I’ve drawn after pondering his perspective is that this is a risk I’m willing to take. “Still worth it!” I say with a wink.
When the Unexpected Becomes a Blessing
The best surprise I’ve ever experienced is certainly the blessing of our daughter. I’m not referring to the moment we saw the positive pregnancy test, though. Just two months prior, Jeremy had left his teaching job for a more flexible opportunity that would also give him room to grow his business. The change brought some financial uncertainty, so starting a family at that time wasn’t planned.
In hindsight, we couldn’t have planned it better. The timing of Jeremy’s career transition was perfect. His flexibility has allowed us to build a family life that reflects what matters most to us—and even he would agree this surprise was the best. I’m proud of my ability to find joy in the unexpected, but our experience also taught me that trust in the Lord’s grace is valuable even when the unplanned feels scary.
November 2026
