big lights will inspire you

 

 

My sweet sister-in-law, Whitney, up and moved to New York, New York last week. Here's the thing: Whitney is hands down the most selfless and loving person I know. She's not just the champion of babysitters, she's also one of my best friends. And everyone's best friend. The trick is, she is sincerely everyone's friend. She cares deeply and serves without question. She is truly amazing. When she got accepted to her dream school in New York, I was thrilled for her, albeit a little terrified at how we'd all survive without her for a few years. (Years?!) And so to celebrate her and her achievements and to show her that although we would all miss her but were THRILLED for her - I decided it was time for a party. (When is it NOT time for a party in my world?) I kept my plans on the uber down low for a few months. You see, keeping a secret from Whit is like getting me to clean the bathroom. Nearly impossible. I let her sister in on the plan about a month out, and we let others in on an "as needed" basis. No lie. It wasn't that someone would want to spill the beans, just that it's nearly impossible to not tell Whitney everything!

 

 

Miraculously, she never found out. Even when she had a work party come up exactly during the time we had scheduled her surprise. Strangely, that work party got "canceled," and she walked in to a big old group of friends and family who love her and celebrate her. It was a perfect night, with New York foods - pizza! pretzels! hot dogs! - and laughter and love. I hope it was just what she needed. The next few weeks will have their lonely moments for her. But I hope when it gets a little quiet in her tiny apartment, she can look back and treasure all the love that was in the room that night. Because it was all for her.

 

 

A big thanks to everyone who took my crazy ideas and ran.

This was a family event, to say the least, and I'm so glad we have

an army to pull off crazy things like this! Thank you!

 

A few notes on sources:

Balloons - We strung them up as there's a nation wide helium shortage. No lie.

I Heart NY necklaces - This started as a "let's buy everyone a shirt!" idea.

Then into headbands when we did a little math.

Then brilliantly into necklaces. (Thanks Steph!)

Cupcakes and "black and white" cookies - Granite Bakery custom made these for us.

I was up til the wee hours of the night in Lake Powell text messaging Kim

telling her all these random things I was dreaming up, including the baked goods,

as we had very little time when we returned to pull it together.

Pretzels - Did you know you can buy these in bulk at Sam's?

Like the delicious ones Sam's serves at their deli?

Many thanks to Grandma Cheney for hunting these down (and the rest of the food).

Printables - Subway signs, framed message, etc. were made by me.

Tabletop cityscape - I had this cock-eyed idea to make a skyline out of cardstock.

And Grandma Cheney - Master of the Cricut - was all, done and done.

Starry and glittery decor - I went down the star aisle at Zurcher's and put everything into my cart.