I really love birthdays, especially my own. I’m the person who counts down every month until the next year’s big day (for example, “It’s my 27 and 7 month birthday!” I’m sure some old co-workers are chuckling because I’ve actually said these things). I generally plan some outrageously themed party (Michael Jackson, Vegas, Bastille Day) and have as much fun as possible. I knew this year would be different because I wouldn’t be planning anything and I’m in Sweden; the majority of my friends are on another continent. But I knew Christopher was up to something and it was going to be awesome.

Christopher planned my birthday weekend for what seemed like forever. He even emailed my mom 4 ideas to get her input and then conveniently told her on a Skype call that he chose idea #1. He might have enjoyed torturing me with no details as much as the actual weekend. I tried to fish for information, but his lips were sealed. He only jokingly said that we were going to have ABBA and Ace of Base over for a fika (coffee break). Seriously though, could someone make that happen??

It was finally Friday night of my birthday weekend. The only thing I had been told was that I needed to pack a bag before Christopher got home from work and “who knows if we’ll be at the apartment tonight.” Were we catching a late flight somewhere? Were we taking a night train to Stockholm or something? I needed to know! But I got nothin’. I just had to be ready the next morning by 7:30 a.m.

We arrived at Helsingborg Central Station early Saturday morning and I was still clueless. Christopher didn’t even let me see which tickets he was buying! I figured it out when we got to the train platform. We were going to Gothenburg!! I jokingly said, “So we ARE meeting Ace of Base!” Christopher then told me we were going to spend the day at Liseberg (like Cedar Point or Valley Fair) with VIP tickets and Express Passes for 3 of the most popular rides!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After the two and half hour train ride, we checked into the hotel and headed to the park. The weather was perfect for us! We skipped all the lines to get into the park with our VIP tickets and started riding roller coasters right away. We had a blast! We rode a ton of rides, dominated the Terminator game in the arcade (we didn’t dominate at Dance Dance Revolution, though), drove bumper cars, rode the giant ferris wheel, and tried to win those unwinnable carnival games. And there were waffles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

My favorite ride of the day was Balder. It’s a big wooden coaster with a couple of really steep drops and lots of smaller, quick hills where you feel like your heart is in your throat. A close second was Helix, the brand new steel coaster that is absolutely insane. We must have spent at least half of the time upside down and I really think they were trying to get me to puke. With our Express Passes for those two rides, we waited a combined 8 minutes. It was awesome!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After many hours at the park, we headed back to the hotel. When we arrived at our room, there was a bottle of champagne on ice. Clearly, I won the best boyfriend lottery. We enjoyed our champagne and some pretzel sticks while watching the World Cup Bronze Match. It was a perfect, relaxing evening after a busy, fun-filled day!

 

 

 

 

But wait, there’s more! We had a special VIP brunch on the 23rd floor of the hotel before heading out to see Gothenburg. Since the weather wasn’t so nice, we headed to the mall to do some shopping and have a coffee before going to the bus station. I fell asleep almost immediately on the bus ride back to Helsingborg. It was such a fun, perfect weekend! I’m so grateful for Christopher and his family making my birthday here the best yet. And thank you to all my friends and family back home for the Skype calls and messages- you all know how to make a girl feel special!