Time to Party!

So, you know the beautiful backdrop we've used for the past 3 years' Formal Pictures?  That is the amazing home of Ella's best friend Ruth.  When Ruth asked Ella and another best friend, Anna, if they wanted to do a combined grad party in her picturesque back yard, of course our answer was YES!  Ruth's family has a connection to a guy with a food truck too, so we just had him park in the driveway by the pool and serve our 160 guests delicious, hot pizza all night too!  We've been to approximately 17,000 grad parties over the years and this one was my favorite. :)

The 3 girls made it so easy on us!  They designed all the décor-- crafting the vases, and hand picking and arranging all the floral centerpieces from Ruth's family's amazing garden.  Anna came up with the darling idea to embellish the patio columns with a photo life timeline of each girl-- two pictures from each year of Anna's, Ella's, and Ruth's life were admired and exclaimed over all night.

Again, too much personal info to put on the blog, so I'll just describe Ella's "shrine" (as we jokingly called it).  Each girl made a table display of their high school interests and memories/future plans.  Ella's included her college acceptance letter, decorated grad cap, pennant, and framed photo in her college shirt; her academic accolades-- her gold cords, Science Department award and diploma; a stand of Robotics treasures-- her pins from her times being Technician and Drive Team, her Captain arm band, framed photos of the team with the robot and holding their awards, her Varsity letter, and her Robotics cords; and a section of playbills from favorite performances, with a collage of her framed Senior pictures taken on the stage propped on top of an impressive stack of scripts from the past 6 years.  A little glimpse of all things Ella for our guests to enjoy!  We had fun putting it all together.

This grad party was like a little wedding in the sense that all of our most important (local) people assembled together for a few hours to celebrate with us.  The time flew by visiting with teachers, coaches, church and school friends, and people who have poured into and invested in Ella's life these past 18 years.  I forgot to take pictures of things like the pretty tables around the pool, abundant dessert buffet, and special touches because it was so delightful to just spend time with everyone!  I certainly didn't get a picture with every friend-- from Delia's BFFs who love Ella too, to drama friends, to older college friends who've been an example for Ella to look up to. 

 Ella's favorite science teacher, Mrs. H., whose wonderful teaching methods and Ella-like personality grew a deep love for biology and anatomy in Ella's heart.  Want to get Ella realllly talking?  Just ask her about the cat she spent a month dissecting in Mrs. H.'s anatomy and physiology class!

Robotics buddies who weren't on vacation already! ;)

My two best friends, Doreen and Lisa came to celebrate with us!

Ansley and Kate, two more dear friends and important people of influence in Ella's life!

Mrs. M, Ella's favorite math teacher and one who changed the trajectory of her life, making her fall in love with and excel in math and STEM things and giving her the solid math foundation she needed to succeed in Robotics.  Ella and her friends and Mrs. M exchanged numbers at the party and made plans to go hiking together this summer!

Mrs. S., the girls' Strength and Conditioning teacher, who trained their bodies and strengthened their muscles, but also shepherded their hearts.  This class was one of Ella's favorites.  (She's on Ruth's back because right before the pic was taken, Ruth was showing Mrs. S how she can do squats with Ella on her! Ha!)

Our people were so generous with their gifts and words!  The night of visiting with and hugging those who have had an impact came to a perfect end when Ella got to read all their sweet, encouraging messages and promises of prayer.  I love seeing what an impact she made on her friends and teachers.  These are just a few from the stack of cards she came home with!

And a last picture with Ruth and Anna, the other two party honorees.  While setting up for the party, I got to spend the day with these 3 ladies and they are amazing!  Talking with them about their futures and hearing their hearts and humor was a grad season highlight for me.  We have so much to celebrate.  It was a super special night.  Last 2 grad parties (out of 10!) tomorrow and then this fun, feeling-full season comes to a close.