The Mother Letter Project Reveal–HOW’D IT ALL GO DOWN?

Update–HOW’D IT ALL GO DOWN?
I am officially back to the land of internet connectivity (please be patient as I sift through your emails related to the project). So, I thought I’d give you all my side of how it all went down.

On our way to Amber’s Alabama home-place, I started to tell her that her present had not come together like I thought and that she probably wouldn’t be receiving a gift on Christmas day. I told her that she could expect something later in December, or maybe January, or maybe… She hid her dissapointment well.

On Christmas Eve, I made my way to Huntsville in order to “pick up a few things.” As you all know, my primary reason for traveling to Huntsville was to put the finishing touches on the project and send a mass email, which consequently caused my account to be temporarily suspended; I was tagged as a SPAMMER, you see.

I then made my way back to the homestead and informed Amber that, beyond a shadow of any doubt, her Christmas present was not going to work out. She didn’t know that I had devised a tricky play with her sister.

On Christmas morning, I biffed. I totally forgot about her stocking. As a last minute filler, I stuffed it with toffee (which was really no surprise since we had already eaten a half-tin) and a partial roll of toilet paper. When she opened it, she didn’t see the need for the toilet paper. I mean, the toffee was really good but it was nothing to cry about. Again, she hid her deflation–barely.

About ten minutes later, her brother-in-law called and asked me to help him put together a Christmas present. If you know me, this is laughable–I am the least handy man in America. However, I agreed and Amber’s sister asked Amber to come along. So, early on Christmas morning, we loaded up and made our way to the sister’s house.

Amber’s sister has recently acquired the internet, so upon arrival the sis said “hey Amber, come and look at these new facebook pictures.” They cruised through facebook for a few minutes and then Erin said “what I really want you to see is this.” It was Shannon’s post. You know the post–the reveal post.

At first, she smiled just a little. Then, a tear formed. Then, as she kept reading, she started giggling. Then, full on gut-laughter. Then a tearful breakdown with much fanning of the hands and covering of the eyes. She said “hold on, I’m repenting”–I knew the toilet paper filler was bad, but I didn’t think it was that bad.

Over the next 30 minutes, I took her to the MLP site and then to your comments on her blog (remember how I hacked in and left a post for you guys to leave her some Christmas cheer?). She was absolutely beside herself.

And then, when the dust settled, we all made our way back to the homestead to eat our Christmas breakfast. And I think it was the best breakfast either of us had ever eaten.

Thank you again so much. Words can only go so far to express my grattitude. You are all heroes.

If you so desire, keep submitting your letters. We will read them all. And please feel free to work in the forum. It’s your way to let the other mothers know how their letters touched you.