For real…. if you ever want to throw an awesome party you should just mention the big old “C” word.

We’ve seen this before. When Joe and I were planning our destination wedding we figured a big chunk of people would never make it due to traveling and expenses. Then, Joe went and got cancer 2 months before the big day and let me just tell you, cancer draws a crowd.

This past weekend we saw it like never before and “Cocktails and Chemo” took on a new meaning.

When my mom first started talking about a fundraiser for Joe and I, the whole thing seemed strange to me. We aren’t poor. I’m sure we will figure it out. Is it awkward asking people for money?

My mom guaranteed it wouldn’t be like that and told me to think of it as a way for people to feel like they are doing something to help, she told me it won’t be about the money, instead it will be about sending Joe and I to Houston on a high. And boy was she ever right.

In just 6 weeks time, my mom (with the help of our friends and family) put together the MOST amazing celebration of life and love. It proves a mother’s love knows no end to what they’ll do for their child. She was willing to beg, borrow and steal to make this happen and let us know we will be okay.

And she did just that.

I can’t wait to tell our little girl one day about the big party, and about the way we introduced her to the world… and she was all ours.

When we walked in we were totally overwhelmed.

The tents were perfect, banners were neatly hung, and there were vases on the tables filled with sand and sea-shells.  The band was warming up, fried chicken was cooking, and my friends and family were hustling around to get the last minute details.

We soon met the home owners who graciously allowed us to use their beautiful yard to bring in 500 of our closet friends.

We had NEVER met these people!

I could have never picked them out of a crowd, but here they were thanking ME for allowing them to have the party.  It really restores your faith in humanity.

My uncles manned the beer tents hustling people to buy tickets, my girlfriends worked the silent auction tent until they could hardly stand, and my mom greeted the crowd and made sure to say hello to everyone who walked in.  My grandma (in her 70s, but don’t tell) stood all night taking tickets and kept track of the cash.

My dad came through with the biggest surprise of all.

When we first found out we were pregnant, I was listing to Pandora in the kitchen and doing dishes.  I heard the sweetest song and just knew I would dedicate it to our baby.  I text my dad to see what he thought of it, and honestly, I never thought of it again.  Then, in the middle of the party, the band started with the notes I recognized and dad sang our “Sweet Pea”…her very first song.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50Qo62s8QNg]

The night was more then anyone could have ever dreamed.  And although it started with some shakes of thunder and drizzles of rain, suddenly the sky cleared and the clouds went away; giving us the MOST beautiful sunset over a field of friends and family.

We were sent off to Houston riding on the love of everyone around us, and as the dollars are counted, we can’t help but feel so unbelievably grateful.

We know we have a long road ahead…. but we have plenty of people cheering us on along the way.