Dear Mr. and Mrs. Collins,
I was happy to receive your invitation to Chris’s 30th surprise birthday party in Australia. It feels like just yesterday we were five-year-old boys playing in your front yard.
I am certain Chris would love a surprise party because he enjoys surprises as much as he loves parties. Chris and I have looked forward to this milestone birthday since we were little boys, and we hoped to celebrate each of our birthdays together this year.
As fate would have it, I have a very important physics exam on that day, and I will not be able to make it to Australia in time for the surprise party. This breaks my heart because I would have loved to see Chris’s face when we all yell ‘surprise.’
However, as the end-of-year holidays are fast approaching, I will be in Australia throughout the entire Christmas period, so Chris and I will have plenty of time to catch up. Thank you for the invitation.
Warmest regards,
David
