The Surprise Party Peyton Never Wanted

First of all… where does the time go?

It feels like yesterday I was dreaming about becoming a mom.

I still remember the day Peyton was born.

She was the first girl in the family, and everyone was beyond excited. The waiting room wasn’t enough, so family members were sitting on the floor of the delivery room watching Dancing with the Stars while they waited for her to arrive.

She was loved before she ever took her first breath.

And true to Peyton fashion, she did things her own way.

She didn’t want to come when everyone thought she should.

She wanted to come on her own time.

Honestly, not much has changed.

Peyton has never been someone who likes a lot of attention. She doesn’t like big crowds. She doesn’t like being the center of attention. She’s always been the kid who would rather quietly do the work than celebrate herself afterward.

Which is exactly why we had to surprise her.

I’ve been planning this party for a while.

The challenge?

Softball.

Of course.

The girls had a CIF playoff game that day.

Now let me paint you a picture.

The party started at 5:00.

Peyton and Camryn didn’t leave the house until 1:00.

Nothing was ready.

Not a thing.

And this mom was officially panicking.

I was running around trying to get everything finished while convincing myself it would somehow all come together.

Thankfully, family and friends came to the rescue.

As they always do.

We catered Wood Ranch.

We brought in Mike’s Shaved Ice.

I put together beach bags for all the girls because if you know my girls, you know they love the beach.

I reached out to some amazing companies, including Beach Bum and Casemate, who helped with discounts and goodies for the girls.

We even had a permanent jewelry artist come and create custom anklets.

Little by little, everything came together.

And before I knew it, the backyard was full.

The girls were laughing.

Kids were playing wiffle ball in the front yard.

Family filled every corner of the backyard.

People were eating, talking, and celebrating.

And for a few hours, life slowed down.

As I looked around, I couldn’t stop thinking about everything Peyton has given up for softball.

No Sweet 16.

No big 18th birthday celebration.

No typical high school experience.

While other kids were going to parties and school events, she was traveling, practicing, training, lifting, competing, and chasing a dream.

She missed a lot.

But she never complained.

She simply kept showing up.

Over and over again.

Giving everything she had to the sport she loves.

That’s why this night felt important.

Not because of the decorations.

Not because of the food.

Not because of the party.

But because for one night, we got to celebrate her.

The hard work.

The sacrifices.

The discipline.

The determination.

The young woman she’s become.

As parents, we spend so many years driving to practices, sitting in the stands, packing bags, booking flights, and cheering from the sidelines.

And then one day you look up and realize your little girl isn’t so little anymore.

She’s heading off to Oklahoma State.

She’s becoming a young woman.

And somehow the years that felt so long went by way too fast.

I couldn’t be more proud.

Of the player she’s become.

But even more importantly, of the person she’s become.

What a night.

What a season.

What a blessing it has been to be her mom.

Love,