You guys.
Last night I had the surprise of my LIFE!
I just have to tell y’all about it! Adam and I had spent the day visiting with some good friends of mine who were in town from Tampa, and then were supposed to go out to dinner with my yoga teacher and her husband after (or I assumed we were going out to dinner…). Well, around 5:30 I get a text message from Anna saying there was an issue at the studio and could we just meet them there and ride together to the restaurant? Of course I said no problem, and as Adam and I walked into the yoga studio I was shocked to find about 40 of my friends there, shouting surprise!
I’ve never had a surprise party in my life!!
It was a surprise book launch party, and was themed “What Would Jenna Do?” All of my sweet friends had made recipes of mine at their houses and brought it to the party! There was kale salad, couscous tabbouleh, gluten-free cookies, chocolate chip cookies, mini spicy black bean burgers topped with avocado, vegan chocolate stuffed scones, quinoa salad, blackberry margaritas and more! After the initial wave of surprise and shock passed, I had another surprise! ROCKY actually driven five hours to be there, too! I have the best friends ever.
I’m telling you this today because I just feel so ridiculously blessed right now.
Happy Sunday!
{p.s. If I would have known a party was happening, I would have at least attempted to do my hair! sheesh.}
Laurie {Simply Scratch}
September 2, 2012 at 8:34 amOh I just got choked up! So happy for you Jenna! The book is as amazing as you are! XO
Dawn F.
September 2, 2012 at 8:34 amYeah! What a fun thing … love how your friends loved on you through the party … I love hearing those kinds of stories!
Sonal
September 2, 2012 at 8:35 amJenna this sounds amazing! π You deserve to celebrate your new book after you’ve worked so hard on it! As a long time reader, I’m so happy for you!
Liz @ The Lemon Bowl
September 2, 2012 at 8:35 amWhat a fun and delicious event!! The menu couldn’t be more perfect. Can’t wait to get my hands on your book- so happy for you.
Molly @RDExposed
September 2, 2012 at 8:37 amHow fun!
By the way I think your book leaves off right were a second book could begin. Tell me I’m right. And got a family beagle picture to share??
Suzanne de Cornelia
September 4, 2012 at 8:29 pmMolly, That was my thought immediately with where it left off–book two.
Tasha - The Clean Eating Mama
September 2, 2012 at 9:15 amI saw this last night on instragram. what a great night, Jenna! You deserve it!
Tasha - The Clean Eating Mama
September 2, 2012 at 9:16 amlol not instragram, but instagram π
Sarah
September 2, 2012 at 9:21 amYay, Jenna! Thanks for sharing this with us! What a thoughtful group of friends you have π So happy for all the good things coming your way!
kim@hungryhealthygirl
September 2, 2012 at 9:32 amThat is so awesome!!! Sounds like you DO have wonderful friends. And your hair looks beautiful, as always! π
Michelle @ Eat Move Balance
September 2, 2012 at 9:45 amWow! You are blessed with amazing and super-supportive friends! Very cool–what a terrific surprise!
Emily @ Perfection Isn't Happy
September 2, 2012 at 9:59 amWow! What a great surprise! You are blessed with good friends :).
Rebecca
September 2, 2012 at 10:01 amI’m so happy for you! I cannot wait to read your book but I’m practicing what I preach to my daughter about sometimes having to wait for what you want so it will be a wonderful Christmas present. It is such an accomplishment, you should be proud!
Jessica @jessicafarrulla.com
September 2, 2012 at 10:05 amYou deserve every single second of it!! Soak it all in…congrats!!
Christine
September 2, 2012 at 10:14 amI’m so happy for you! What a great idea – a surprise party! You really have best friends ever.
Totally like the kind of your writing and telling stories. Thank you. So happy that I found your blog.
Rachel Cooks
September 2, 2012 at 10:14 amAww, you more than deserve it! How fun! Enjoy every second! How blessed you are to have such amazing friends π
Mom
September 2, 2012 at 10:25 amThis makes me so happy π
Soma the mexigarian
September 2, 2012 at 10:48 amCongrats. π such a wonderful surprise.such sweet friends! Very happy for you!
JulieD
September 2, 2012 at 10:51 amSo very cool!!! You deserve it. π xoxo
Urban Wife
September 2, 2012 at 11:40 amAren’t surprise parties the best?! You are blessed with some amazing people in your life. And your hair looks fab, so I’m not sure what you meant. π
Kathleen @ KatsHealthCorner
September 2, 2012 at 12:19 pmHow fun! π Surprise parties (no matter how big or small) are always the best. π
Averie @ Averie Cooks
September 2, 2012 at 12:39 pmThat is so awesome, Jenna!!! I’ve never had a surprise party either and it would take a lot to surprise me and probably you too since you seem like you’d be hip to any shenanigans in the works π Oh I am so happy for you and what a FUN FUN night!
Jessica
September 2, 2012 at 12:57 pmI had my own surprise party on Friday, for my recent masters degree graduation. I forgot how much fun they can be! It’s so great to have people who love and support you in life and it makes me happy to see you have the same. I have been trying to get to your book all weekend-I think it’s going to be the best part of my Labor Day π
ash
September 2, 2012 at 1:07 pmLooks lile a great time, cobgrats on the book!
Addy
September 2, 2012 at 3:30 pmYay! That’s so exciting – you must be so proud of your book! I bet it feels like a real accomplishment to see all that work come to fruition. Enjoy it!
Carol-Dee
September 2, 2012 at 4:18 pmJust finished reading your book (cover to cover) and I loved it!!! I could be your mother (I have a daughter (31) and son (29) ) but I could really relate to your story and I can’t wait for your next book…follow up about Adam?! God bless John….lots of tears shed through that portion of your story. Keep up the good work.
Carol-Dee
Jenn
September 2, 2012 at 5:32 pmYou deserve it for being true to you and following your dreams!
Michelle
September 2, 2012 at 7:13 pmCongrats Jenna! Just started (and finished) your book today. What an excellent read. So inspiring! I’m looking forward to trying all the recipes in the book!
amy walters, aDESIGNdock
September 2, 2012 at 8:12 pmHow exciting! So happy that your friends took time to throw this fantastic party for you to honour and celebrate the awesome and talented lady you are. ; )
Elisabeth
September 2, 2012 at 8:19 pmWhat awesome friends you have! Congratulations on all your successes these days. I just can’t wait to read your book – it’s preordered on my Nook so all I have to do on Tuesday is start reading π
Kim
September 3, 2012 at 12:35 amSurprise parties are the best!!! Last year, my best friend and sister decided to throw me a surprise party for my birthday. The day of the surprise party, I had been out in the woods looking at some property, so I was in sweats, tshirt and baseball cap. Upon returning, I thought I was going to help a friend organize some stuff for a yard sale, so I decided not to change. My friend came and picked me up and was acting a little weird and continually texting and checking her phoneβ¦. I thought we were going by our church to pick up some tables, but when I walked inβ¦. there stood about 20 of my closest friends. I looked like a “HOT” mess. I found out later from my sister, that my best friend was suppose to try and get me to change clothesβ¦. Oh, I forgot to mention, the sweat pants and a few holes in them tooβ¦. LOL
Laura
September 3, 2012 at 6:04 amYou have awesome people in your life! That is so sweet π
Leslie Means @ Her View From Home
September 3, 2012 at 6:47 amHow fun! Can’t wait to read your book!!
Caroline L.
September 3, 2012 at 7:39 amAwh, you have the sweetest friends π Congratulations again on your book!!
Joelle (on a pink typewriter)
September 3, 2012 at 11:29 amThat’s so awesome!!! What a great surprise. π
Rachel - A Southern Fairytale
September 3, 2012 at 11:44 amThis makes me so happy π <3
You deserve it girlie xoxox
jessicaisbaking
September 3, 2012 at 1:10 pmCongrats! Surprise parties are terrifying yet the sweetest thing. You deserve all the support, I can’t wait to read the book!
Elisabeth
September 4, 2012 at 1:48 amCongratulations on your BIG DAY, Jenna! I preordered it on my Nook last week, but unfortunately it still hasn’t ‘dropped in’, so to speak. I noticed it’s not listed as available in Nook format on the BN site anymore. Any idea what’s going on with that?
Congratulations again π
Carissa
September 4, 2012 at 1:46 pmCongrats! That’s so exciting. I’m impressed that 40 people could hold a secret surprise so well!
Nicole
September 5, 2012 at 4:56 amHow exciting! My high school boyfriend threw me a surprise 16th Bday party and I looked like total crap–very casual clothes, no makeup, unwashed hair. It was embarrassing, but I consider it the sign of a successful surprise party!
Delishhh
September 10, 2012 at 8:56 pmwow how fun! that is awesome!