No time for a witty explanation of the sign on the door, this is too small to read in this photo, so here was the text Caroline read as she approached our front door on her birthday:

40: There must be something special about the number 40. 40 years old – quite the accomplishment. 40 could be considered middle-age. But for you, 40 will forever be a wonderful number. In 40 seconds you have to open the door. You must be thinking of 40 reasons why not to open the door. NO – There are not 40 people in there about to scream Happy Birthday to you. But, 40 figures prominently on this 12th day of December. Take a deep breath – 40 if you need to. Grab the door handle. Close your eyes – No cheating. Open the door. Take two steps forward. And open your 40-year-old eyes to the man who loves you more than ever.