My Husband Surprised Me With The Trip From Hell On My 40th Birthday

My father turned forty when I was thirteen. I can remember my mother secretly planning a surprise party for him and wondering what all of the fuss was about. She stashed party decorations and cases of beer and soda at a friend’s house. She wrote out invitations when he was at work and intercepted phone call RSVPs like a ninja. And, she ordered a six-foot sub sandwich that seemed very impressive at the time.

On the appointed day, our house was bedecked with black streamers and signs with “Old...