The surprise - revealed!!

Soooooooo the road trip was a GREAT success!! Carmund and I had an amazing time and like always when we're together we fall more in love with each other. Here's the lowdown for the showdown (okay, I'm little tired typing this so bear with me). Just so you know this is definitely going to be a very long blog but lots of great information and feel free to click on the links throughout!!

On January 16, 2010 I searched the web for information on Carmund's friend, Kevin. First here's a little background...Kevin and Carmund met during their undergrad years at UNC-Chapel Hill. Kevin is also a performer/singer and a great one at that!! After graduating I'm assuming both Kevin and Carmund went their separate ways but still remained friends over the years. It's amazing because they don't see each other often nor talk as often as they would like because Kevin is always away performing across the globe and my little honey is busy doing the same thing. The last time they've been together was 2 years ago! Carmund hadn't seen Kevin perform since they were in undergrad! It was a special trip all the way around!!

Back to the story... Carmund had mentioned Kevin a few times and when we were in DC for Christmas and New Years I believe Kevin called him and told him about the musical he was touring with. During that trip I immediately thought I've gotta get Carmund with Kevin and maybe for his birthday. How? I had no clue. I didn't even know how I would get in contact with Kevin. When Carmund and I returned from our holiday I immediately went online to see how I could get in touch with Kevin without Carmund knowing it. I went online and Googled Little House on the Prairie, The Musical. I found Kevin on the website and thank goodness a link to his personal website was on there. Check him out here. Cute, eh? Well, he's not available!! I'll tell you more about his wonderful girlfriend later. So, sometime in the morning of January 16th I see his website and searched for contact info. There was only an email address and a phone and fax number for his manager. I decided I would try the email first and see if I got a response. Well what do you know?!?! He checks the email because I got an email from him that night!! I told him my thoughts about surprising Carmund for his birthday and Kevin thought it was a great idea. To make a long story short, we settled on seeing him in Kansas City, MO (which was the last leg of the tour).

Over the next 5 months I would check in with Kevin here and there to make sure everything was set. Here's how the trip went down-

Day 1, Thursday, June 24 - We left for Kansas City around 11am (not the 9am I was pushing for but I also mentally prepared myself for that strong possibility). It was pretty much an 8 hour drive and boring if you were doing it by yourself. Driving on 70W is pretty much the same as driving 65N - boring. LOL I drove the first half and Carmund drove the second half. He figured out that we were going to Kansas City which was fine because I knew he didn't know the real reason. Probably about half way there I sent Kevin a text letting him know we were on the road and would be there that evening. We sent texts back and forth a bit but Carmund thought I was talking to someone at work and kind of fussed about it just a little bit. I paid that no attention. We get to the hotel - Hotel Phillips - which is also where the whole cast was staying. Very nice boutique hotel in downtown Kansas City. Kevin hooked us up with a tremendously fantastic rate!!!!! Kudos to Kevin for that. Literally saved me hundreds of dollars. Anyway, we check in and and get the room. Carmund is taking in the sites and then asks me why I chose KC. I told him we had never been there before and it wasn't too far that we could drive there. He was satisfied with that answer. I told him a few of my plans I had for us for the weekend. Kevin had sent me a text saying to not come out of the room because the cast was going to be loading the bus between 6:30 and 6:45. Thank goodness there was a big convention going on that the hotel staff had told me about. I told Carmund we should wait until sometime after 7 to leave the room because the hotel staff said there were a lot of people out. He agreed and we ended up not leaving until 9ish to look for food. He wanted sushi and the hotel staff recommended a very nice trendy restaurant within walking distance from the hotel. I knew that we were going to meet Kevin and his girlfriend, Kara (check her out here), soon after they were back from the show (around 11:15). We headed off to Nara for sushi and drinks. It's a very trendy sushi bar with a fun atmosphere. We hung out and took our time ordering and eating. We watched the sushi chefs make sushi and Carmund asked them questions. It was so cute. Just as we were asking for the bill Kevin sends me a text that they were on the bus on their way back to the hotel and he and Kara could meet up with us at 11:15. Kevin and I agreed meet up at Flying Saucer which is a beer place full of beer!! LOL They had so many I was quite impressed. Carmund and I grab a table close to the bar and he's excited about seeing so many beer and giving me short lessons about where they are from and blah blah blah. FYI, I don't like beer. Yucky! I kind of turned around and could see Kevin and Kara walking up the sidewalk. I kept Carmund talking (his back was to the door...perfect!) and explaining beer to me. Kevin walks in and stands behind Carmund and says something (I really can't remember what he said). Carmund turns around and his jaw just drops!!! This could be the end of the story but no way!! We sit and talk for a while and I get to know Kara and Kevin a bit more and of course they catch up on everything. To this day Carmund is still shocked that I managed to get this all together but couldn't have been done without the help of Kevin. We hung out until about 1:30am and then lights out!

Day 2, Friday, June 25 - We had a late breakfast/brunch/lunch with Kara and Kevin (will also be noted at K+K) at Fran's which is like an upscale/trendy Denny's. The food is better than Denny's but the service wasn't so good. Couldn't tell because I ate there 3 times!! LOL We ate and talked with K+K for while and then we parted ways. Carmund and I went to visit some museums that were recommended to me by a colleague. We drove to the 18th & Vine Jazz District which is an urban black area with museums and restaurants and of course jazz clubs. We first went to The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. Excellent museum!! Man oh man there's so much history and it just makes me soooooo proud to be black in America. Love it!! After we walked through there we walked about the lobby to The American Jazz Museum. I love jazz so I thoroughly enjoyed this one!! If you're ever in Kansas City these 2 museums are a must! After that we got back to the hotel and I ended up taking a long nap before we went out for dinner. My colleague recommended a soul food restaurant to me before I left for this trip. The Peachtree Restaurant = D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S!!!! Oh my day!! We tore that food up! So here's what we ordered: For starters we had Collard Green Dip (same as spinach dip but with collard greens), dinner rolls, sweet potato cornbread, I ordered smothered pork chops with mashed potatoes and collard greens, and Carmund ordered blackened cajun shrimp with yams and okra w/tomatoes. Of course we topped it all off with sweet tea. YYYUUUMMMMYYYY!!! Let's just say I was no good after we ate. LOL We went back to the hotel and just laid around watching a movie because we were so full and happy. LOL At around 11:15 that night I got a text from Kevin that he and Kara were gonna eat at the hotel's restaurant and wanted us to join. We go downstairs and get to the table with 3 other people sitting there besides K+K. I grab a seat next to Kevin and low and behold Carmund grabs a chair next to Melissa Gilbert!! She played Laura Ingalls on the show of Little House on the Prairie. She's of course done many other made for tv movies for Lifetime and Hallmark and things like that. She was also starring in the musical as "Ma". There's a story for the kids - mom and dad had dinner with Melissa Gilbert. She was so cool and normal. Also sitting at our table was Steve Blanchard (played "Pa") and his wife Meredith Inglesby (played Eliza Wilder and Mrs. Brewster). We got to know the cast more as time went by. It was just a great time and a great way to end the night!!

Day 3, Saturday, June 26 - The first thing I think of when I think back on this day is that the US got beat by Ghana! Congrats to Ghana!! Anyway, I remember this because we met up with the cast at an Irish pub called Raglan Road because there was a big watch party at the Power & Light District in downtown Kansas City. That was lots of fun. After that was over we pretty much did much of nothing and just chilled at the hotel for a bit before we left to see the show. Kevin invited us to ride on the bus with the cast which was cool. I'd never ridden a cast bus before and neither had Carmund. We got to the Starlight Theater which was a great outdoor amphitheater! It was hot out but not too bad. The show started at 8pm and we were engrossed the whole time. I just want to talk a bit about Kevin's girlfriend, Kara. She was the star because she played Laura Ingalls. Kara's very cute and small but when she opens her mouth to sing...WOW!!! Absolutely amazing!! I immediately became an even bigger fan of hers! Kevin who was also in the production played Almanzo. He also has an amazing voice. Carmund and I were thoroughly impressed and engaged throughout the whole show. I wish I could see it again! After the show was over we went backstage and talked to the cast and caught Melissa Gilbert coming out of her dressing room. I asked her to sign my playbill for my mother (who happens to be a big fan of hers). As a surprise to my mommy dearest I will present to her a framed autographed playbill. I think she'll be excited! It was a perfect way to end the night and just about the weekend. Oh yeah, we also got Kevin and Kara to sign our playbill for us. So sweet!!

Day 4, Sunday, June 27 - Carmund and I packed up everything and met some of the cast downstairs for a final brunch with them at Fran's. It was a great meal and we said our good-byes and hugs with Kevin and Kara. As we drove away I felt so proud of myself. The drive back wasn't the best because it rained so hard most of the last half of the day. We made it home Sunday night exhausted and excited from the many adventures we had.

My mission was definitely accomplished and then some. I am so grateful for Carmund and his wonderful friends. Kevin was a complete help with everything and I'm so glad Carmund has him as a friend, as a brother. Much love to Kevin and Kara! They are such a great couple and awesome new friends of mine. We will definitely see them again!!

As for Carmund, I love you more than anything. It was easy for me to plan this weekend for your birthday. It was worth every minute, every dollar, every email, oh just everything!! You're worth it and then some! I love you so much! Happy early birthday and I wish you many, many more!!

Well guys, it took me all day to write this blog. It was an awesome trip but now it's back to the daily grind! You already know, that's just the way it is.