Yesterday morning as I was ensconced in my recliner working on a blog post, I glanced out the front window and happened to notice a white Dare Challenge van turn into our driveway and park out of sight.
“Hmmm . . . “ said I, to myself. “What is this van doing in our driveway for no reason?”
Now, if you think back on your Smithellaneous history, you’ll remember that Steve and I have hosted the guys from Dare Challenge (a wonderful faith-based drug and alcohol program) for dinner two Thanksgivings in a row.
Steve also goes out to the Center every Thursday morning to teach a class and occasionally hires one of the guys to come and help him with lawn work. Usually when he hires someone though, he tells me ahead of time so I won’t be alarmed at the sight of a stranger walking around our yard. I searched my 50-year old memory for anything Steve might have told me about arranging for someone to come and work but nothing came to mind. I tried calling him and got no answer.
My puzzlement increased.
Since I was on the second floor of our house, I didn’t have a real clear view of what was going on down below and so I finally just assumed that a guy had come over to do yard work and Steve had forgotten to tell me.
And so I settled back in my chair and continued to type. I had gotten about four words into the next sentence when my concentration was suddenly broken by the sound of singing. Men singing. In fact, several men singing.
Why was I hearing singing? And why was it coming from my front lawn? And just what was it that the mystery voices were singing?
“Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer true. I’m half crazy, all for the love of you.
It won’t be a stylish marriage. I can’t afford a carriage.
But you’ll look sweet, upon the seat, of a bicycle built for two.”
I leaped up from my chair, peered out the window and realized to my astonishment that Steve and all the guys from Dare Challenge were standing on my front lawn. Singing!
This picture was actually taken from the front porch. After they sang to me one time, I ran downstairs with my camera and asked them to sing it again.
When they all finished their rousing rendition of a song (that most of them had just learned from Steve a few minutes previously), I said, “I think I’m blushing! I’ve never been sung to by ten guys before!”
They all grinned, shouted Happy Valentine’s Day and then jumped back in the van with Steve and headed back up the street. They left in their wake a surprised, happy, middle-aged woman who went back to her writing tasks with a big grin on her face.
Because, really. What could produce a Thursday morning smile any quicker than precious, enthusiastic, reforming drug and alcohol abusers standing on one’s front lawn and singing a spirited rendition of “Bicycle Built For Two?”
Nothing, that’s what.
what fun! but it looks like the bike for two didn’t make the scene.
When I was a kid on vacation in Michigan, my family rented bicycles built for two, and I remember being scared to death riding behind my dad. Now, what does that say for needing to be in control?
Mrs. Pam,
I think I’d be just like you sitting on the back of that kind of bike–a little bit anxious about falling over, turning corners, etc. But it would be fun to try!
The look of joy on many of those men’s faces, including, Steve, is precious. I just read the earlier post about “What is Love.” Now, thst is the best bicycle built for two.
Anonymous,
Well said!
That’s wonderful!! That song brings back so many memories. My grandpa used to sing it to me all the time. I loved all of his old songs. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Gayle,
How very dear to think of your grandpa singing that song to you. Love that!
How wonderful and special you must have felt!! I too, am in love with Steve!!!! LOL
God Bless~
Debbie
Debbie,
Yeah, he’s pretty easy to love!
OK. It’s official. I love Steve. There. I said it. 🙂
Lesley,
Nice to make it official! 🙂
AWESOME!!!!
Jojy,
Yes, awesome and fun, too!
Amazing, now that’s love 🙂
Nancy,
Amazing and love. Two good words to put in the same sentence.
Reminds me of my jr high/high school valentines days…you could send something called “Singing Valentines” and all during February 14th, our elite Chamber Singers would go around from classroom to classroom singing. My sister did it to me…three times. Ha. However, I will NEVER forget having “You are My Sunshine” sung to me by the Chamber Singers in grade 7 math class, and for some reason, they insisted on lifting the chair up in the air. Not sure why, unless it’s that I was very tiny then!
What a sweet valentine’s day gift though!
Music Girl,
Whoa! I am exceedingly glad that there was no lifting of me in a chair involved during the Front Lawn Surprise. 🙂 I love the idea of the Chamber Singers going around and singing–how fun.
Drum abusers? Cute typo! How sweet of Steve.
Jessie,
Oops! Fixed that. 🙂
BTW, the name of the song is “Daisy Bell” written in 1892.
Steve,
That’s sort of a crazy title since it doesn’t even have the word “bell” in it! Hmmmm . . . .
Awwwww……that’s so sweet!!! I just love when guys go and do thoughtful things like that! 🙂
LeeAnne,
You and me both!
What a great guy to come up with such a fun Valentine surprise!
Patti,
Yes, it was a surprise all right!
That is so sweet! I was kind of hoping, though, that there’d be a rental bicycle built for two for you and Steve to ride…
Janinvan,
Don’t even tempt us! Steve has ALWAYS said he would love to have a bicycle built for two for us to ride!