Our son, Brian, has a great sense of humor. He’s quick, he’s witty, and when he pulls a prank, it’s the kind you don’t forget anytime soon.

For instance, in 2016, he placed several plastic bugs in our kitchen cabinets.

When I reached into the cabinet for a glass dish and saw this bug – which is quite realistic looking – I let out a girly scream and jumped away. By the time I discovered the bug, Brian had already been back at his place for a few days—but I knew instantly who was behind this. When I called to tell him what I’d found, he laughed and probably had some comedic remark that I can’t remember after all this time.

A few weeks went by without incident, until I opened a different cabinet. This was followed with the same result: another bug, another girly scream, and this time, I think there was a sorta loud yell of, “BRIAN!”

It seems he bought a pack of these bugs. He hid 3 in all at our house. And, yes, I found all 3 of them before the prank was complete. As I recall it took about 4 months until they were all discovered though.

Throughout the years, whenever Brian would visit, occasionally, he would move them around. And I loved that. Of course, every time I discovered them again, it scared me again, but it also made me laugh.

A few weeks ago, Brian’s 11-year-old son, Owen, was staying with us for a week, and he found one of the bugs in a cupboard. When we told him the story of the bugs, his eyes got wide and his smile got wider. His Dad’s Coolness Factor went up by I-don’t-know-how-many points.

Owen asked if he could have one of the bugs, and we gave him one.  He’s planning on planting it where Brian will find it. I can’t wait to hear what his reaction will be. Will he recognize it right away? Will he immediately, instinctively smash it? Or will he let out a girly scream? I doubt that one – but I do sorta hope it makes his heart skip a beat. It only seems fair.