We Found The Best Way To Celebrate A Birthday During The Pandemic: A DONUT HOP

I never know what to do for John's birthday, but of course this year was especially hard. John doesn't really want gifts - he says he has everything he wants - and he doesn't like being the center of attention with parties or dinners even when we CAN have them.

(Old pic of John snuggling a... something... from a past birthday. ::head tilt:: What IS that?)

So at 2AM on his birthday Monday, I flopped down beside John on the couch and started throwing out the most "John-like" suggestions I could think of. Take-out from all his favorite restaurants for every meal? An all-day video game marathon? A Zoom group-chat with all his international friends?

And finally, half-joking: "We could spend all day delivering donuts to our friends around Orlando." 

John blinked, thought for a minute, and said, "I LOVE THAT."

Then he went to bed.

 

Of course that wasn't enough for me, so I started brainstorming ways to make delivering donuts extra ridiculous. I decided this was sort of like a bar hop, only with donuts, right? And "hop" = bunnies, and bunnies = WE MUST WEAR BUNNY EARS.

What can I say, these are the kinds of logic leaps the mind makes at 3AM.

I found some ears we could pick up in the morning at a local party store, then got to work whipping up some more photo props using free clip art and bamboo skewers:

Ta-daaaa!

My driving estimate was off, since we got started late: we were only gone a little over 8 hours. It didn't feel that long, though.

I had high hopes for this rabbit hat, but alas, 'twas too small. Although if it hadn't been $30, I may have had John wear it anyway, haha.

That t-shirt is my one actual gift to John: it's so HIM. It didn't arrive 'til the day before Halloween, though, so this is his first time wearing it. (His mask is also rainbow cats.)

The store only had 2 pairs of bunny ears left, but we made it work.



Seriously, paper smiles to cover the masks may be the best idea I've ever had, y'all.

We hadn't seen Bianca since February. I think I needed this silly donut day as much as John.




Let's also talk about what amazing sports our friends are. Every single one was like, "A'ight, let's EAR UP." Bahaha!

These two thought we were going to zoom call when I texted to ask if they were home. Best. Reaction. Ever.

John plotted out our route to include 3 stops at Krispy Kreme to "refuel." That way the donuts were all still pretty fresh - and a few lucky folks even got HOT donuts.

The best part was John's utter confusion as we drove up. He genuinely thought this was for some OTHER John at first, and watching that realization hit him was the best part of the whole day for me.

We couldn't bring y'all donuts, so there's John's gift to YOU. :p 

While we're at it, I'll throw in a steampunk "Blue Steel":

"What is this, a birthday for ANTS??"

I know that quote makes no sense here, but I'm choosing to be alright with it. 

Around dinner time we stopped at Chris & Christie's, where they fed us subs and stuck a candle in one of the donuts for John:

(We ate on the other side of the house from them.)

I feel I may be boring you with all these photos of people you don't know in bunny ears... so here are just a couple more, lol:

Our last stop was at 10pm, next year we'll have to start earlier!

Thank you to everyone here online who spent the day following along and celebrating with us. Your hearts and messages made the day all the more special! Plus we got to see this:

... which made John so happy.

John says this will be his new birthday tradition, so next time I hope to have more than a few hours' notice to plan, haha. 

Several of you've already told me you're stealing this idea, to which I can only say, PLEASE DO. Be safe about it, of course, but if possible, go deliver goodies to all your friends! And bring ridiculous photo props for selfies! I promise you nothing makes you feel quite so glowy inside as bringing a little joy to other people.

Which brings me to this:

It could be a long week before the election is resolved, gang. How are you taking care of yourself?

(Yes, I have my own plan, too. John and I are working for friends on that big office redesign I'm loving, and when we get a free afternoon from that, we're breaking out the Christmas decorations.)

 Since posting this I've had some alarming messages: messages of both utter hopelessness and utter hatred. (Not toward me, but towards the world in general.) Please, don't let either win. Focus on the good and the love right in front of you. Remember that you are a light, and others are looking to you right now, right this very second, to hold up your light and shine. So please, be a light for someone trapped in darkness today. Make the call, send the card, deliver the donuts. We're in this life together, let's live it that way.

******

Oh hey, here's a little light-hearted something for two of you in particular: we have new Squeegineer winners for October! Brianna Mat. & Shoni B., please check your inboxes for John's e-mail, so you can choose your prizes. 

Thank you all for still being here, and for continuing to support me and John through your clicks, your shares, your Amazon shopping, and your Paypal donations. I would do this for free, but I'm so grateful we get to pay our bills doing something we truly love. We're so humbled, so grateful, to call you our friends.