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Last Friday night, I thought Melody and I were having dinner with some dear friends of ours at another friend’s restaurant. I was a bit frustrated that we were walking in a few minutes late because I had suggested to Melody that we get there about an hour early just to hang out together and she chose to send a few emails instead. We walked into the restaurant and almost ran into the husband of the couple we were meeting as we walked into the restaurant. The three of us walked to the outdoor patio where the band was playing and the next thing I knew folks were yelling “Surprise!”

As it registered with me that these 50-something folks were there surprising me with a party, the next thought I had was “What is the occasion?” You see, my birthday was on July 1st, so of course I had no reason to be expecting anything. I joked with Melody later when I asked her if the party was celebrating next year’s birthday early or this year’s birthday late. For anyone looking to surprise someone with a party, doing so three months before or after the event will sure make pulling it off a whole lot easier.

I. Had. No. Clue.

It was a magical night as I watched friends from college, church, recovery, and Life Group all mingling and getting to know each other. Melody had asked everyone to write a letter or a card and I’m still enjoying reading through them and will cherish each of them for the rest of my life. One of these notes was handwritten on a piece of loose-leaf paper by my youngest son Gabe. Tears welled up in my eyes as I read these wonderful words…

Dear Dad,

Although sometimes it may not seem like it, I love you so much. God couldn’t have given me a better dad. The challenges we have been through were tough. But in God’s grace he allowed my family to be united. When you and mom were divorced I thought me and Tal were going to have to be the men in the house. But you recovered and now I’m one of the luckiest kids in the world. I’m so glad we don’t have to switch houses every other weekend now. I get to have both my parents everyday. I hope this year that Route1520 will be launched and you tell as many people as you can about your story!

Love you so much!
Gabe Lovvorn

Later that night as I put down Gabe’s note after reading it for the 25th time, I thought about another note that I had received from my oldest son Tal when he was 4 years old and all of my reprehensible behavior was just coming to light. Melody and I asked all four of the kids to draw a picture about what they were feeling in an effort to help their young hearts get in touch with their emotions. When I found Tal’s drawing a few years back, I wrote a post called “Collateral Damage”.

These two notes from my boys provide great bookends for this journey of recovery and remind me that every bit of the work and effort has been worth it. If you are just starting this journey of recovery, I hope this post offers some encouragement for you…especially if you have children. Only you can decide whether or not the addiction will win.

Here are a few shots from the party Friday night. I am truly blessed!

17987 Commentshttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.ragamuffinreflections.com%2F2011%2F09%2F26%2Fsurprise-within-the-surprise%2FSurprise+Within+the+Surprise2011-09-26+21%3A58%3A30Traylor+Lovvornhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.ragamuffinreflections.com%2F%3Fp%3D1798

Blake

You are a hero in the truest sense of the word.

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Traylor Lovvorn

Thanks Blake. God is good!

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Garrett

What an awesome surprise! I love how you start this post by being real about being frustrated when you got there. Awesome!

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Traylor Lovvorn

Thanks Garrett. Appreciate your friendship, brother!

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charles wintner

I am writing a play, and googled "surprise within a surprise." This website came up, and I read it. The character in the play, whose next line I was looking for, is a child named Gabe. Reading your Gabe's letter was such a shock, and so relevant to the play, that I will never again even question whether we all do things for a purpose.

Gabe, thank you for writing such a beautiful note to your Dad; and thank you to whoever created this website.

cw

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Traylor Lovvorn

Thanks, Charles, for letting me know! Please, please keep us posted on the play. We would love to see it when it is finished. I'll let Gabe know that his note impacted more than just his grateful Dad.

Peace,
Traylor

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Gabe Lovvorn

Hey dad it's Gabe and i was bored and i finished my essay in English so i decided to look up your website and read this post and starting tearing up and everybody in my class thought it was weird but i really thought of you today. I love you daddy this is the fist time I ever saw your post it is really eye watering to think how much we have been through together. I used pray to God before every night with mom that you would get better and she always told me that ya'll would NEVER get back together. And what do you know God healed you spiritually. Now every night before bed i don't have to go crying to mom wondering if ya'll were ever going to get back together I can just thank God for allowing his Grace to heal you.

Love you bunches-
Gabe Lovvorn

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