I found chaos—craft supplies, open boxes, kids in costume, and Ellen standing in the middle of it all, holding a glue stick like a weapon.She was stunned to see me. “I overheard a call,” I said. “She said you sent your husband off… that he’d be in pieces.” And then—Ellen burst out laughing. She explained everything. The woman on the plane? Cynthia, her old college roommate. The call?

About a surprise anniversary scavenger hunt. “He’ll be in pieces” referred to puzzle pieces—clues leading to the restaurant where we had our first date. That night, we ended up there, candlelight flickering, memories all around us. I was still shaken, still a little embarrassed, but mostly grateful—grateful for a love that still had surprises in store. Next year, I told her, maybe just a dinner reservation? She smiled. “No promises.”