Ice Cream and Birthdays

Last Friday, May 2nd, Philip Bernstein turned 8. As is tradition in my house, we get a Carvel Ice Cream cake.

Helaine and I both grew up on Long Island and we've been having Carvel Ice Cream cakes since we were kids. In the past couple of years, Carvel has expanded into the region and there is a locally owned store in Gaithersburg off Muddy Branch Road. I find that the cakes made in the store are a little fresher than the ones that are available at the supermarket.

So, on Friday afternoon, May 2nd, after I worked and after I spoke at Beverly Farms Elementary, I headed over to the Carvel and picked out a cake for Philip and I had them write "Happy Birthday Philip" on it.

We went out to diner and when we got home, we took out the cake and served it. The Carvel cakes that we get have a layer of chocolate ice cream, chocolate crunchies and then a layer of vanilla ice cream on top. I had picked out the red box which was supposed to contain the Vanilla/Chocolate Cake, but when I cut it, it was Vanilla/Vanilla.

We went on with the Birthday celebration but I decided to call the store the next day. After all, the cake was supposed to be a mix, not all one flavor. The owner answered and I explained what happened. He asked if I had grabbed the blue box or the red box. Apparently the blue boxed cakes are all vanilla. I was looking at the red box and the description on the box that said vanilla and chocolate and I told him that I had the correct box.

(I realize that mistakes can and do happen. I don't think that anyone went out of their way to mess up my ice cream cake purchase, but they should know that a mistake occurred so that they can correct it. Also, you learn a lot about people by how they react when something goes wrong. Do they freak out? Do they panic? Or do they stay calm and fix what they can?)

The owner then tells me to come back and he will give me a replacement cake. I was initially disappointed in the cake when it wasn't the right one, but the fact that the owner stepped up and made it right, makes me a happy and loyal customer.

So, if you're in Gaithersburg, stop by the Carvel on Muddy Branch Road and say hi to Wesley. He's a good guy!