A CHILDISH THING?

Our youngest turned 19 last Friday. 

A few weeks ago, Sarah had almost decided that it was time to leave behind the days of birthday parties with elaborate themes and decorations. Ready to embark on her final year as a teenager, maybe this year she should just invite some friends over for a quiet dinner and some cake.

Melissa assured her that parties were fun, not childish, and the next thing you know, Amazon boxes full of party favors, crafts and decorations were arriving on our front step daily, and Sarah was spending hours in her room making colorful chains from strips of construction paper and tiaras out of felt. 

The party theme was based on the children's book Fancy Nancy and so everything was to be glitzy and over the top.

I contributed the cake. Melissa made gobs of cheesy potatoes per the birthday girl's request. Sarah and her friends all donned their most outrageous dresses, highest heels, and gaudiest costume jewelry and made an evening out of eating sugar, bejeweling crafts, and filming Tik Tok videos. 

We all had an awesome time.

To my shame, I have to admit that, originally, I had been on the side of "putting childish things behind". Why bother with the effort and expense of balloons and confetti? 

But my daughter reminded me of something important: 

Life is an amazing gift and taking joy in it is NOT a childish thing. 

I am already looking forward to her 20th!