It all started in the Cayman Islands. 

My daughter Jess was on vacation for a week in the Caymans, her first trip there - she loves diving and fell in love with the islands.  While there, she met a young man, Chad, a couple of times.  They exchanged internet contact information, and upon her return, a dialogue - an extensive dialogue, from all reports - ensued. 

Fast forward some months, and she visits Chad in his native Canada.   The relationship blossoms.

Next thing I know, she's going to the Caymans for 3 months in the fall while Chad spends a semester studying there on a sort of work-study program.  (Don't you wish you could have spent a college semester or three or four in the Cayman Islands for credit?  My, how college has changed since my day!)  Being the determined young woman she is, she figures it all out, gets all the details arranged, has the funds in hand to make it work. 

The days are dragging before she can leave and see Chad again, even though the online communication continues.  Each day is counted.  She introduces me to Chad via IM, and we have some interesting conversations.  I see the attraction. 

Then, an IM from Chad.  Can I find out if Jess has plans for a particular weekend?  Being somewhat resourceful myself (and having my suspicions as to what's in the works - I'm not entirely dim), I contact her and tell her that I've been figuring our respective schedules and that's the best weekend for us to spend a lot of time together before she leaves for months on end.  (She's been gone before, to Iceland for 6 weeks and on to the Netherlands for 3 weeks after that, but it's still a long time.)  I call dibs on the weekend - the entire weekend - and she's amenable.

Getting back to Chad, I'm informed that he's found a great deal for a flight to Austin over that weekend to visit Jess (and, coincidentally, check out UT grad school), and I'm sworn to secrecy.  The game is afoot!  Family members and friends, on a very limited need-to-know basis, are told what's up.  We all have to keep our mouths shut or the surprise will fall on its face.  This is more complicated than it sounds; certain things have to be accomplished without spilling the beans, and they have to be accomplished with Jess' cooperation.  Her brother offers his guestroom, and since Thanksgiving is our Big Family Holiday and Jess will be gone for it, PJ suggests that we have Thanksgiving and a send-off for Jess at his place that weekend, on Sunday.   All agree, including Jess.  Thus, a place to stay and the Meeting Of The Family are arranged, with Jess none the wiser.

Come the Friday that Chad is to arrive, and Jess is having a bad day topping off a bad week. I arrange to meet her at Azul Tequila (one of my favorite restaurants, that makes truly great Margaritas), for dinner and a drink after work.  I tell her I've got plans that will make her feel much better, but it's a surprise.

Then it's off to the airport to pick up Chad (and actually meet him for the first time).  He tells me he'll be wearing a Scrabble t-shirt; I tell him I'll have a sign with his name.  (We've both seen photos of each other, to help the process along.)   His flight is delayed - the poor boy is stuck in Chicago.  A call to Jess to push our meeting back - I'm "with a client" and will be later than expected.   Finally, the plane arrives, Chad and I connect (yes, the Mom definitely approves), and it's off to the restaurant, where we find a booth where he can be hidden from view until she actually arrives at the booth.  Margaritas are ordered.  Jess calls that she's a bit late, stuck in traffic, and I offer to order her a Margarita, and do so. 

I watch the door, and watch the door, until Chad reminds me that a watched door never opens.  We're talking, and suddenly there she is, coming towards me - she knows I'm with someone!  (She tells me she figured I brought the client along with me.)  She greets me, turns to greet my guest, turns back to me, then does the classic doubletake. 

The surprise is a success!  (And, yes, we were all forgiven for our little white lies in the service of romance.)