ValenLIME Dance

No, that's not a typo.  Jon, the boys and I were invited to a ValenLIME Dance on Friday night (the 15th).  The invitation stated there would be music, food and games.  It told us of the time, location and to wear lime green.  It also said the following,
                                      "It's been a year since our classmate and friend TJ began his fight...
                                       We want to honor his memory and love for music and laughter...
                                       Come enjoy the evening with the 5th grade class." 
Two of TJ's dear friends wanted to have a Valentine's Day dance/party, but wanted to honor the memory of their friend at the same time - hence the name "ValenLIME".  Jon and I were so touched that they thought of this all on their own AND that they wanted our presence there!  Earlier that day, one of the mom's who was hosting this event stopped by our house with a gift.  They had made lime green shirts in memory of TJ to wear to the party!  I was once again moved (by tears) at their thoughtfulness. 

We showed up to the party and everything was lime green!  The decorations, the punch, even the M&M's (which also had TJ's name on them)!  I was brought to tears to see his classmates all sporting the new t-shirts we had just gotten earlier in the day (the same ones we showed up wearing).  This party was perfect!  TJ would have had an absolute ball (to put it mildly)!!  They danced, sang, ate sub sandwiches - the party screamed TJ!!  Anthony, Will and Charlie quickly made their way to the dance floor and partied it up the whole night.  It was such a bittersweet night.  A night of fun and sadness.  It was so good to see those kids again - I was always (and still am) fond of the kiddos in TJ's class - they are such a good group of kids (and parents)!  We ended the night by going outside with all of his classmates (and some parents) surrounding our family in a circle.  We were given lime green balloons and on the count of three they all said "TJ" and we let the balloons go.

We had such a great night!  I have no worries of these kids ever forgetting TJ - I know they will honor his memory and keep it alive for years to come!  I'm so thankful for each of these kids and their parents.  Words cannot express all what we felt last night - I'm still speechless and humbled by their love for us and our son.  I couldn't help but imagine TJ being at the party - dancing, singing and having the time of his life with his friends.  THANK YOU to all of those who put on this amazing event - those words just don't seem like enough.  I'll share a few of the pictures of our night:


 
The lime green M&M's with TJ's name!
 
 

 
TJ's classmates & friends who were at the party.
 
 
 

 
The balloon release.
 
 
 

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The back of our shirts.

Comments

  1. UnknownFebruary 17, 2013 at 10:02 PM

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  2. UnknownFebruary 17, 2013 at 10:08 PM

    This was an AMAZING and very thoughtful thing TJ's class did in memory of their classmate! Oh how TJ would've loved this party! Love, hugs, and prayers Aunt Carol (aka ... Tilly")

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