Not everyone loves surprises. Some people would be angry if they were on the receiving end of a surprise party. They want time to prepare, mentally and physically, and can’t stand not being in control. (By the way, it’s important to know where your friends fall on this issue before you try to throw them a party). But it goes beyond birthdays. Pop quizzes are famously hated because they are surprises. If you run a restaurant, a surprise health inspection is always a looming threat. And if a random loved one calls you unexpectedly, it’s not always a good thing. 

But some things are surprises for a good reason. It can be the perfect way to ask for forgiveness, not for permission. That’s exactly the situation one woman found herself in after she decided to keep her chosen baby name a secret from her family. But their reaction wasn’t what she had hoped for. Read on for the story.