I love surprises, and John is a master at creating them. He’s pulled off everything from arranging for my best friend to fly in for my birthday to pretending to leave for work and returning five minutes later to announce an impromptu beach trip. So every now and then I like to return the favor with a little surprise of my own. When I spotted an attractive leather armchair on Target.com, I couldn’t resist ordering it for him right away. Buying furniture online can feel risky—especially when you can’t try it out first—but strong five-star ratings and heartfelt reviews made the decision easy.
It arrived two days later and exceeded my expectations. The chair is large and exceptionally comfortable. The leather is soft and supple, and the deep brown finish adds warmth to the room. It required very little assembly, which is always a pleasant surprise. We placed it in the corner of our bedroom to give the space a more polished, master-bedroom feel. I wish the photo did it justice.
John’s reaction when he walked in was priceless. He gave a few excited exclamations, then struck what can only be described as a Tony Soprano pose: he strolled over, sat down, and pretended to puff an imaginary cigar. The only thing missing was the club jacket. It was one of those moments where the expression on his face said everything.
When I told him I’d scored the chair—originally close to $500, but I found it for just $230 thanks to promotions—he raised that imaginary cigar in a toast. It felt great to surprise him with something he truly enjoyed.
(Half of a post by Sherry)
John here. I pulled myself out of that new chair long enough to write the second half of this post. One of the best parts of yesterday’s surprise was not just that Sherry found another great deal, but that I also had a little surprise waiting for her.
My gesture was simpler, but it fits a tradition we began when we first moved into our house. Flowers are a reliably cheerful way to celebrate small moments, and I thought a fresh bouquet would be the perfect complement to her new chair.
I ordered a compact arrangement from ProFlowers.com, aiming for something that would fit on our kitchen counter. The arrangement turned out taller than expected, so we placed it in the living room instead, where it adds a burst of color and fragrance.
Sherry loves the mix of lilies and irises, and she says the bouquet will look even better once those blossoms fully open—perfect timing for guests we’ll have this weekend. The nicest touch, to me, was the small handwritten note that accompanied the flowers. It was short and personal, so I’ll keep the exact words private, but it clearly made her smile.
These little surprises—an unexpected piece of furniture or a thoughtfully chosen bouquet—are reminders of the small, everyday moments that make a house feel like a home. Whether it’s scoring a great deal online or picking out flowers with care, the best gifts are often the ones that show you were thinking of the other person.
(Other half of a post by John)