Isai’s very 1st birthday came and went in a barrage of joy and chaos. We honestly couldn’t be happier with the way our little guy was able to celebrate.
When we started planning for Isai’s 1st birthday – we were notably bummed by the threats of COVID-19. Technically, we’re still working from home everyday and social distancing whenever possible. Aaron and I found out when planning out wedding that a small family get together is extremely difficult when the immediate family invitations total about 30. Hosting a birthday party for a special 1-year-old in a pandemic was going to be even more rough.
While I bounced around one idea after another for ways to make his big day special without gathering our family – Aaron was having none of it. “He needs to have a birthday. He needs to have a cake.”
The compromise we arrived at was, honestly, perfect.
We invited our closest relatives – Isai’s grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins – for a day of BBQ and cupcakes in the backyard. The warmest and windiest day of the month arrived – and so did our family. Cars lined the driveway. Lawn chairs lined the yard. Everyone gathered off of the deck, surprisingly, and enjoyed the breeze in the shade of our giant Sycamore.
Our friend Randy from the R Butts R Smokin’ competition BBQ team prepped another insane meal of pulled pork and cheesy potatoes for us. Always a hit! After shoveling dinner into his face by the handful, Isai snarfed his puppy cupcake. We pumped hand sanitizer like it was going out of style. Laughed hard. Kids chased everyone with silly string. Isai fell asleep in the shade. Aaron led the side-by-side rides through the trails and pastures.
It was perfect.
Again and again – the farm continues to bring our family together for incredible memories that we’ll never be able to replace or recreate. The house is still “in progress.” We don’t really have the furniture to accommodate so many people around. Everything always feels a little chaotic. But – really – once everyone is here, it’s relaxed and fun and amazing.
Isai – your very first birthday on our farm was everything we could have ever hoped you would have. Your family shared a wonderful meal together and many much needed laughs – because of you. In many ways, we owe you a huge thanks for being the reason we all gathered together. And, also in many ways – I cannot imagine a better gift for you than to be at the very center of all of that love in a single moment. You are special and wonderful and loved beyond compare. Happy very 1st birthday, little man.
10/26/20 update: To me, it’s worth noting that – while the photos look casual and comfortable and not-so-socially distanced – our family was super respectful of the risks posed by having so many people together. All of the people that visited are those that Aaron, Isai or I have seen “in our bubble” at some point in the last 6 months. Some didn’t come – and we were appreciative of their consideration for others that did attend. We had sanitizer and masks all around. Everyone had plenty of space to move about the farm. Food was prepared and served in ways that kept everyone safe. We really did our best and are thrilled to report no one was exposed or showed symptoms of COVID-19 in the month following our party.