The morning of my 30th birthday started out as a normal day but by afternoon that changed. My husband suggested we take a ride and shortly thereafter we arrived at a local airport used for small planes. This is something we often did just to watch the planes take off and land. After parking, we noticed a commotion on the runway and walked over to see what was going on. Upon seeing us, the balloon pilot came over and introduced himself and asked if I was the birthday girl. I looked over at my grinning husband and saw he was barely able to contain himself. Soon after the balloon was upright and ready for lift off. We climbed into it along with the pilot, and his first mate and drifted off into the sky.
The ride was everything I thought it would be. The air was so still I could hear chickens clucking below me. We leaned over to grab leaves off of treetops, and heard people shouting up and waving at us. It was like gliding on air—well actually, that’s what we were doing and it was wonderful. This was the most thrilling time I’d ever had.
Too soon it became dusky and the pilot said it was time to head home. We never did land back at the airport because darkness came faster than he expected. We had to make a bumpy landing in a farmer’s field just missing overhead high tension wires. After landing he popped the cork on a bottle of champagne and toasted me for my birthday.
We got into a van and were driven back to the airport leaving the crew, who had been following us, to deal with packing up the balloon. When we arrived at the airport, I got out of the car and heard clapping behind me. I turned around to see my entire family! They had been hiding while watching me take off in the balloon and waited there until we got back just to see the look on my face when they surprised me.
It was the best birthday present I could have imagined, and that’s why the glass hot air balloon means so much to me. By the way, when the sun shines on the glass balloon, it acts as a prism and sends rainbows all around the room.
15 comments:
Precious story! I'd love to try a ride in a hot air balloon too. It's so thoughtful of your husband to have bought you an crystal object so you could remember your gift. Happy 2013. Cheers from Bordeaux, France
What a wonderful experience,Lizzie....and how perfect to have the glass balloon as a permanent reminder.
What a lovely present and a perfect momento. Thanx for sharing another gr8 story,
Jo xxx
What a wonderful story this is. Completely uplifting in every sense of the word and a perfect example of how a precious treasure gives you a story to tell. This is such a lovely one too. Thank you - it's so good to see you back in 2013
Wonderful story Lizzie! Makes me want to try it even more!
Oh Lizzie, what a fabulous gift from your family & a beautiful memento of it! Thanks for sharing this story - it sounds like it was a wonderful birthday.
Oh what a lovely memento, story and present. I've always thought hot air balloons are a wonderful way to travel, the silence while traveling is something I figure would be amazing. What a neat idea to wait there to see your face too :)
Oh, I loved this story so much all the way through, but then learning that the glass balloon throws color around the room when the sun hits it is just the best. What a lovely keepsake to have to remember such a special gift.
That was a very special birthday present, Lizzie and how precious that all the family were there to greet you.
Happy New Year to you!
That was such a special present for your family to organise. I don't know how your husband managed to keep it a secret! The crystal balloon is a terrific memento.
What a wonderful story & a lovely present from your family. Many thanks for sharing x
What a truly wonderful experience for you Lizzie. The momento of the day is beautiful. I love that it has an extra gift of the rainbow.
What an amazing memory! And that glass balloon is exquisite. I don't think I know anyone who has been on a hot air balloon ride.
Thanks for sharing,
Rinda
Oh what a special memory of a special day. What fun!
what a lovely present and memory.
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