That being said, we knew we had maybe one last go of a birthday party before "parents are so embarrassing" and "boys are everything".
For Lauren Elizabeth's 12th birthday, she asked some friends to a sweet little tea party and we thought everything was ready to go. We knew they were too old to wear hats and dress up, but secretly hoped they'd still be young enough to enjoy the innocence of fun. That's when my Besties stepped in. They reminded me of how I needed to let her grow and be more independent. My very best friend smiled through her thoughts, "She's going to have a limo with her girls and go to the party in style...and she's going to love it!"
The planning began. Keeping it a secret from our daughter and her friends, a beautiful limo came to surprise them away.
Leaning forward, I whispered, "We are in a memory."
I knew many years from now when Adam danced with her on her wedding day, I would smile as this moment would be one of many. Her first tooth, first step, first day of school...so many memories...including tea parties with friends.
I'm so thankful for my best friends and their grand and fun ideas and I hope Lauren Elizabeth will continue to have best friends throughout her life as well.
Your Faith, Family and Friends are what make this world worth living and with them you're sure to create so many magical memories, one tea party at a time.