Surprises & Secrets: Her name is Ginger
Posted on | June 5, 2012 | 24 Comments
You know what I find really hard to do in today’s world? Keeping secrets and fabricating surprises. Secrets and surprises seem to be going the way of the dinosaur. In today’s world it’s just so darn easy to instantly tweet, post, email, or text that most of us broadcast our thoughts and updates as quickly as they cross our minds. Deliberation, in my opinion, used to be a much more personal and private process.
It’s human nature to want to rush off and tell our friends the moment something exciting happens but doesn’t the “tell” feel sweeter, deliver a bigger impact, when we’ve first processed the experience and run through the story in our minds?
My wife, Jessica, really put all this to the test over the last year. There’s something she’s been wanting very badly but if our kids ever caught wind of her wish, they’d have been all over us with an endless barrage of begging. So this deliberation, Jessica’s big surprise, had to remain on full lockdown. I’ll admit that what she wanted was not something I wanted but a husband’s vote never carries more than 49% so alas, Jessica’s wish came true. (And in retrospect, of course, Jessica was right and I’m glad she gets the majority vote!)
On a recent weekday morning our three girls boarded the school bus for another typical day. Jessica and I then got in our car for a secret rendezvous to a local farm, where we picked up a special package that our girls never saw coming. And the girls’ reactions that same day when they got home from school? Well, I gotta say that delivering this surprise old school – in person – was absolutely worth it.
Watch this video and I think you’ll agree ☺
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About Ben Lawrence
Ben serves as a Global Account Executive to Fortune 500 companies who are interested in becoming more competitive in emerging markets, with an emphasis on improving the productivity of non-native English speakers.
Ben lives in Pennsylvania with his wife, three daughters, and dog Elvis. He is a competitive triathlete and member of the National Eagle Scout Association.
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June 5th, 2012 @ 5:05 pm
My dear friend and mentor Ben Lawrence!
Thanks for sharing this wonderful video with us. I do understand what you’re saying. My wife and I did almost the same thing one year ago and my kids loved it!!!
Say HI to your beautiful family!!
JR
June 6th, 2012 @ 6:30 am
Sooooo cute!!!!!!!Ben you are so lucky to be surrounded by all those girls.
June 6th, 2012 @ 6:45 am
Ben,
First… What a beautiful family! (your girls have your dimples!) Second… Watching their happiness not only
Made my day(and I really just opened my eyes) but it reminded me of the happiness I feel having a new kitten named Kodak! New pets are an adventure for sure! I think that the memory you created for your family is one they will truly never forget. My parents gave me my first cat that way when I was in 3rd grade! I have never forgotten the surprise, excitement, and sheer happiness of the moment I lay eyes on a ball of fur that would become my best friend. I am certain you gave your family what mine gave to me. That is… A moment of genuine overwhelming happiness that they can always look back on when life throws an unexpected curve ball. That in itself is a gift, nevermind the millions of moments they will come to cherish with their new puppy, the responsibility they will learn, and the live they will develop. Ben, kudos to you and your wife for delivering such a wonderful surprise and many thanks for sharing it this morning and reminding me that 1- even in crazy tough times, sheer happiness exists and 2- there truly are wonderful people in this world and I am proud to call them friends. Have the best day ever my friend and many thanks for the smiles and sunshine you continue to bring to my life!
June 6th, 2012 @ 9:50 am
As a family of dog lovers, congratulations are in order! There is nothing like the loyalty of a dog – they love you no matter what. When you are having a bad hair day – they don’t care
Having girls is definitely different from having boys – there is a lot of squealing! – Love that!
Thanks for sharing!
June 6th, 2012 @ 10:05 am
Now that is a KEEPER! What a great memory!
June 6th, 2012 @ 4:01 pm
Ben, Thanks for sharing! Ginger is so cute and the girls are beautiful.
Regards,
Cathy
PS: My family and I just returned from Orlando. we really had beautiful days there!
June 6th, 2012 @ 5:41 pm
Sweet and yippee for the Lawrence family. Puppies and kids just go together.
All the best,
Andrea
June 7th, 2012 @ 2:24 pm
JR, I’m sure your beautiful daughters had a similar reaction when you surprised them with a puppy. A day you and your family will remember always, yes?
By the way: Another CONGRATS on publishing your world class sales book. My autographed copy is on display in my office.
June 7th, 2012 @ 2:25 pm
Paula, If Andy had been here those girls woulda had something a bit more substantial awaiting them off the bus. Probably a draft horse! Hope to see you this summer.
June 7th, 2012 @ 2:27 pm
“Sheer happiness” as you say, Caryn, is a delight to watch unfold. Thanks for your nice words and for sharing your own memory about a little fur ball who became your best friend
June 7th, 2012 @ 2:29 pm
So true, Pat. Every day there’s at least one member of our household struggling with bad hair and not one of ‘em will even consider a baseball hat. Glad you enjoyed the video.
June 7th, 2012 @ 2:31 pm
Thanks, John! Too bad you weren’t here that day to capture it all with professional grade photos. But amazing the quality these days with a little digital camera.
June 7th, 2012 @ 2:32 pm
Good to hear from you, Catarina! Did your family go visit a special mouse who lives in Orlando? I’m sure you had a great vacation. Looking forward to catching up with you soon.
June 7th, 2012 @ 2:33 pm
Ah yes, Andrea. 1 puppy + 3 girls = lots of practice on how to share
June 9th, 2012 @ 3:30 pm
A precious addition to the most adorable family! Love the reactions!!!
June 16th, 2012 @ 6:46 pm
Your video made my day. I love your enthusiasm for life and I’m sure it’s shared by Jessica and your girls – it sure looked like it.
Thanks for sending. By the way, my puppy Cara Belle arrived last August and was mainly Christine’s idea. Today, I wouldn’t trade her for anything in the world.
I’m sure you, Jessica and the girls will say the same thing.
June 17th, 2012 @ 7:58 am
LOVED IT BEN! And since Anne and I have seen your girls with the little one up close we are not surprised by their initial response when they saw Ginger! We don’t know which is cuter – Ginger or the Lawrence girls? Thanks for sharing such a joyful moment!
Anne and Jim
June 19th, 2012 @ 5:22 pm
Allison, Lots more puppies where that one came from! Let’s put you next on the list.
June 19th, 2012 @ 5:25 pm
Thanks, Reece. Cara Belle.. What a sweet name! There must be a good story about where it originated. Funny how Christine, Jessica, and all our better halves know what’s best for us. We’re lucky guys.
June 19th, 2012 @ 5:29 pm
Jim, All I know is if we ever return to this world, coming back as an Aden house pet is lottery jackpot. Ginger just melted in your arms. Dogs are so good at judging character.
February 14th, 2013 @ 12:45 pm
You have an extraordinary family and your daughters are real gifts from God! Fascinating watching their reaction as soon as they leave the bus and see your wife holding the puppy; which was a mix of surprise, anxiety and curiosity. A memorable moment for sure! Congrats on the blog and the beautiful family too! You are a blessed man! Thanks for sharing this unique moment!!
February 14th, 2013 @ 4:47 pm
Thank you, Juliana. I’m so pleased that you enjoyed this video. Indeed I am a blessed guy and Ginger continues to delight the girls every day. Happy Valentine’s Day!
February 19th, 2013 @ 2:37 am
You have bought Ginger from a puppy mill. Greenfield Puppies are all puppy mill puppies. I am so sorry to be the one to tell you this. They are ALL Amish. They do not have you pick up the puppy at the puppy mill. They will have you pick it up at someone else’s home or somewhere else away from the puppy mill. I am writing this to you with the hopes that you will spread the word. Puppy mills must be stopped. I saw your testimonial on their website. All the breeders have the same few AMISH last names and Lancaster County PA is the capital of the puppy mill industry. Please take your experience and use it to spread the word. You have been tricked by Greenfield Puppies. I take part in a rescue and we save dogs from shelters. Please consider adopting your next dog instead of helping keep the Lancaster puppy mills in business.
March 25th, 2013 @ 8:40 pm
Dear Jen,
Wow, this is a real shock. Every dog my family and I have ever owned has been adopted from a shelter. Ginger was the first exception and we did not realize (until your post) this was anything other than a simple transaction with an Amish farmer. Two pledges I’ll make to you: 1) We’ll continue to care for and enjoy Ginger just as we do all our pets, and 2) We’ll continue to support our local SPCA. Thanks for visiting the blog; I hope you become a regular subscriber.