The Meadows: Mom's 50th Birthday!

Ain't it nifty? Look who's fifty!!!

My beautiful mother turned the big 5-0 on February 7th, so of course we had to throw her a party! Aunt Sherry, Betsy, Whitney, and I all wanted to do something special for mom because it was such an important birthday. We decided that she probably wouldn't come if she knew about it because she has never liked to be the center of attention. The only problem was that my mother may have missed her true calling as a detective. She has a keen ear and can usually spot a lie in a second.

In order to make her less suspicious, we set the date for January 26th, which was almost two weeks before her actual birthday. I sent out the invitations to everyone but Mom. Meanwhile, Aunt Sherry made a fake invitation to a party being thrown for my dear Aunt Annie Lou (we knew that Mom would never miss a party thrown in Annie Lou's honor). Sherry even got my cousin Chris (who it said was hosting on the fake invitation) to address the envelope because we were scared mom would recognize Sherry's handwriting (I'm telling you, she is a detective).

After talking with Aunt Sherry, I decided that mom would have her radar on if she thought I had mysteriously decided to make the trip to Moulton for the weekend on a whim, so we made up a little fib. One evening, I called mom and told her that Steven had surprised me with an early Valentine's trip to Nashville, but we needed someone to watch Sawyer for the weekend. Of course, she was quick to agree.

On the Friday night before the party, Steven and I met mom in Priceville to give her Sawyer and head on up to "Nashville". We parted ways quickly because I was so scared that if I said anything she would know something was up. That night, Steven and I spent the night at Michael and Betsy's house where we were going to prepare all the food the next morning.

After a long but fun day of preparation, we headed over to Aunt Sherry's church, who graciously allowed us to use their fellowship hall for the party. All of our family and friends arrived a little before five o'clock, but we had instructed Taylor and Dad to make sure mom didn't arrive before 5:20.

When mom walked through the door and everyone yelled, "Surprise", she was truly surprised! I think that everyone had a fun night and mom was able to show off her two grand babies to all of her friends and family members. I was so happy to be able to celebrate the beautiful, Christ-filled, complicated, fun-loving, and gracious life of my mother. She is someone that I have and will always look up to in so many ways. I am so blessed to be her daughter. I love you, Momma! Happy 50th Birthday!