Charley's Golden Birthday...9 on the 9th

March 2, 2020...our last "normal" day of spring.  Well, we probably had a few "normal" days the following week during spring break, but Monday, March 2 was Charley's last day of school before our world changed.  It all started back in December when I received an email from school going over special dates, and I noticed that Tuesday, March 3 was marked as a no school day.  I immediately started making arrangements for Charley's Golden Birthday Party for the Monday night before so it wouldn't be during spring break.  The timing ended up being perfect, because Charley had spent years dreaming about the possibilities for her Golden Birthday, and knowing what we know now, Monday, March 2 was the last possible night we could have pulled off her party.  When we got home from celebrating our girl, we were awoken in the middle of the night to warnings for a horrific tornado that ripped through Tennessee, causing an incredible amount of damage to our community.  We were spared, but our poor state and the city of Mount Juliet were hit so hard.  If that wasn't bad enough, about a week and a half later, we started quarantining for the Coronavirus.

Life lately has just been weird, but taking a look back at Charley's Golden Birthday Party is a great distraction and reminder of how sweet life is.  We spent months talking about this party because Charley was SO excited about being 9 on the 9th.  I'm proud to say she was beyond pleased with her fancy, red-carpet party, and it was such a fun night watching her with her sweet friends.

A highlight for all of the girls was strutting their stuff on the red carpet.  They each filled out a paper with fun facts about themselves, and Charley and I read them on the microphone while they made their way down the red carpet.  They all looked like movie stars, and I've never seen so much sass under one roof!  They spent the rest of the night laughing, dancing, and posing all over the theatre.  

I couldn't have pulled it off without the help of the most amazing people....the Capitol Theatre and Miss Elizabeth, Kari, Diana, Uncle Justin, Aunt Shelley, Amma, Grandad Mike, Billy, Marilyn and Chesley....they each went above and beyond to help create a special night for Charley.  

"Nothing shines brighter than a heart of gold," and I'm so proud of my girl for her giving heart.  In lieu of gifts, Charley asked for donations of non-perishable food items for Rutland's backpack ministry.  We had worked it out with her counselor to send bags of food home with students over spring break.  After the tornado hit, we weren't sure what to do with all of the food other than wait until we went back to school.  Knowing what we know now, March 2nd was our last day, and I am SO thankful Miss Katy, Reagan's mom, along with the counselors at Gladeville Middle, made us aware of the need to provide bags of food for the kids from WWMS.  It was such a blessing to fill 49 bags of food for kids who would go without during the long break.  As thankful as I am for Charley's giving heart, I'm just as proud of her sweet friends who really outdid themselves providing tons of great donations!  As a Momma, it's one thing to see your child have the best time celebrating with her friends, but seeing the impact she can make at such a young age...priceless!