Day 17 - A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently.

The power of friends getting together and making something fun and amazing is an awesome thing to encounter. Sometimes we're pessimistic about birthdays because it means we're getting older and time seems it's passing by quicker. I don't think that's the sole reason for Shelby to tell Courtney & I that "we better not be throwing a surprise party for me." That's just what we did and it was a huge success!

Courtney had thought of the idea a few months before Shelby's actual 20th birthday. With some great planning and secrets and help from friends and our parents, we were able to hit it off with only a few bumps in the road the weekend before her real birthday. Our original plan was to have Dad take Shelby to the softball game while Mom stayed home with a migraine and I do not remember what I was suppose to be doing. Well Dad took Shelby and we tried to get her friend, Taylor Hayden, to take her to the movies. Well Dad wanted quality time with her so they drove around for almost 2 hours after the game trying to keep her occupied! All that time, Mom ran to pick up our Mexican food dinner. Courtney rounded up the troops and I got liquor and other stuff of sorts. A lot went on that day and thank goodness, a slew of her friends showed up. As you can see in the picture above, she was crying. Here's the initial reaction...

Everyone had a great time and Shelby was every bit entertained since her real birthday weekend would be celebrated again at Chilifest. She had a good time at that too!

The point is that family is most important. Friends may come and go but the true ones will stick around and bring joy and laughter and awesomeness to your life. I'm very blessed to have the family and friends I have. Without them, we wouldn't have given my amazing sister a great surprise party!