My friend Mike loves his wife.

That is not surprising. After all, he is a Christian and there is a biblical element there. But he likes to go the extra mile

Carolyn Arends and mandolin player Spencer Capier do their sound check.

(another biblical reference if you missed it) and think big. So when he phoned me and said he wanted to do something special for Johann for their 29th wedding anniversary (which is today), my first thought was “why is he calling me?”

When he told me more about what he had in mind it still wasn’t obvious. He wanted a surprise party, inviting all their closest friends. Not just from Ottawa but also from California, where they live part of the year. That part didn’t involve me at all. Then he asked if I could arrange musical entertainment, a concert to go with dinner.

He said Johann’s favourite musician is Carolyn Arends, the award-winning singer/songwriter from British Columbia. Mike knows that I know Carolyn. Did I think she do it? Would I ask her? And was she available Saturday July 4?

That explained the phone call. I don’t know what the reaction would have been at Carolyn’s management company if some random person phoned and said he wanted to book her for a surprise party for his wife. I suspect such calls come in fairly often from people who have no idea what such an event costs in terms of lodging, airfare, sound system, vehicle rental and food. Airfare alone at this time of year would be at least $2,500. That’s not a problem if you are selling tickets to the concert perhaps, but most of us don’t budget that much for our parties. I contacted Carolyn directly, told her it was a legitimate request and to send a contract.

Show Time!

I didn’t quite figure out exactly what Mike told Johann they were going to. Something about a special event I had organized I think. She would have had no problem with that – she’s known me for more than 40 years, there’s not much I could do that would surprise her.

Mike called me the day before to go over some last minute details for the show. He said at that point Johann still didn’t know the purpose of the party. People had been told not to yell “surprise” when she arrived. He wanted to see how long before she realized what was going on.

I hate surprises. Johann, I know, does too. But I went along with the plans because Mike felt it was important to surprise her. I just figured she would find out at some point along the way, that someone would inadvertently tip her off.

I was wrong. She arrived at the hall, having been told I was hosting a special dinner. (That was true, I did act as master of ceremonies and host.) But as she mingled with others before the meal there was a dawning realization: there were people in the room that I couldn’t possibly have known, therefore this wasn’t really my event. By the time everyone took their seats she knew it was an anniversary party her husband had arranged.

However, she didn’t realize Carolyn Arends was there until I announced it. Turns out Mike was right: Carolyn is Johann’s favourite musician. It was a magical moment and a memorable show followed.

I of course still had serious issues about the whole thing. After all, if you make that much fuss over your 29th anniversary, what do you do for your 30th? Or your 50th? I hope Mike has started planning already. I’m sure he knows the Beatles aren’t available.