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Birthday dilemma - what to do?

Hello Ladies! Ok, so I have a kind of random "problem" regarding BF's upcoming birthday. Here is some back story - BF was a big time football player in high school, one of the best players, made records, little kids wanted to be him, the whole nine yards. He had some game footage from him glory days that he was really excited to show me, and when we were at his parent's house a while back and he finally remembered to ask him mom about it, she said she thought she had thrown them away. I know. He was upset about it but didn't want to give his mom too hard a time. Still, I could tell he was sad that he couldn't share that with me, and knowing him I am SURE he was thinking about how he would have liked to show our kids one day.

So, a while later, I tracked down the current coach and athletic director of the town he played for, and they said that sure enough, they did have a lot of the games from his high school years, namely his junior and senior year. So happy! The thing is, I am not techy enough to do any kind of recording, but FBIL (my sister's fiance) is, and he told me that because of the format of the tapes, many will need to be recorded in real time. AKA, if they are 2 hour games, we will have to sit and record for 2 hours for that one game. So, here is my question - do I try to make a best guess at what one or two of the important games may be and give that to him for his bday, or do I tell him about this so that he can come with us and decide which games he wants? I really wanted to be able to hand him something and have that surprise for him on his bday, but I also don't want it to be a let down because I picked unimportant games. What should I do?

Re: Birthday dilemma - what to do?

  • Elle1036Elle1036 member
    5000 Comments Fifth Anniversary 25 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    I would just tell him and let him pick which ones he wants recorded.  It's still a wonderful surprise for him, and it'll draw out his excitement a little bit more.
  • mana8503mana8503 member
    2500 Comments Third Anniversary Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    I'd probably start a convo like "since I didn't get to see your tapes, tell me about your favorite game/ the one that stands out in your mind/ the one you broke such and such's record...!"  Hopefully that would give you enough info to pick! 

    I'm pretty good about getting info out of people without them knowing... Fi on the other hand isn't.
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  • tuarceathatuarceatha member
    Sixth Anniversary 2500 Comments 250 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011
    That is so cool that you have already done all this for him. I think you should get his input on what to copy. He will be so excited to have it!


  • heyimbrenheyimbren member
    2500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Is there any way you could copy one of them, surprise him with it, and then explain to him how you got a hold of it and that way he can copy the other ones he really likes? Then it seems to me that you're kind of getting the best of both worlds.
  • luvdncn90luvdncn90 member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_birthday-dilemma?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:83543f3a-3f9b-43ac-9976-8701cfd0d3c5Post:773ed2d3-d06b-4e43-aef5-1b8217efff54">Re: Birthday dilemma - what to do?</a>:
    [QUOTE]I'd probably start a convo like "since I didn't get to see your tapes, tell me about your favorite game/ the one that stands out in your mind/ the one you broke such and such's record...!"  Hopefully that would give you enough info to pick!  I'm pretty good about getting info out of people without them knowing... Fi on the other hand isn't.
    Posted by mana8503[/QUOTE]

    I would do this. My brother was an all state football palyer and he always has one game that he remembers in particular. Ask him to tell you about his favorite game and see what he says. If he gives a non-commital answer then I would just record them all.
  • edited December 2011
    I love the idea that Mana came up with! 

    But if you don't want to take the chance in making him suspicious I'd pick the first and last game of each year to give him for a present and then tell him there are more if he wants them. 
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  • csousa1csousa1 member
    Knottie Warrior 1000 Comments 250 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited December 2011

    Thanks ladies! I think I will do a combo of what mana and bren suggested - I am pretty good at sneakily getting info out of people (and just like yours mana, mine can't do that to save his life!) so I will try that and pick one or two games, and then when I give them to him I can explain that there are more where they came from if he is interested. I am super excited!  Thank you for the input :)

  • mana8503mana8503 member
    2500 Comments Third Anniversary Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011

    YAY!  Glad to help... update us on what happens!

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    my 2012 shelf:
    Amanda's book recommendations, liked quotes, book clubs, book trivia, book lists (2012 shelf)
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