Years of Memories

This year for Spencer's birthday I wanted to do something different, and something a little extra special.  I came across this link on pinterest  (http://nothingbutbonfires.com/2011/06/sixty-years-memories) that sparked an idea I thought I could pull off.  It involved acquiring lots of different memories from people who have known Spencer throughout different stages of his life.  I called this "Years of Memories".  I sent the following message via email to several of Spencer's closest friends and family members:

Hello Everyone!

I have a big favor to ask of you. Spencer will be turning 35 this month, and to celebrate his birthday I’d like to put together a little surprise for him. I am trying to create a “Years of Memories” present by filling several envelopes with a memory his friends and family have of him.

And this is where you come in!

If you have a spare moment in the next few days, I would be so grateful if you’d jot down a favorite memory you have of Spencer. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy—you can mention anything you’d like, although, the more nostalgic the better! You may email me back your response and I can simply print the note/letter and place it in an envelope. Or, if you would prefer to hand write it you may mail it to the address below.

Thank you so, so, so much for participating -- I know everyone is busy with their own lives, and I do appreciate you taking a few minutes to do this; it will be so worth it when he reads all the memories people have of him! (Please don't forget to keep it a surprise until then, though!)

Again, thank you so much!

It was a lot of fun getting responses back to this request.  So many of the stories that came in about Spencer brought back a ton of memories I have of him as well.  As I received the letters I would print them off and place them into their own envelope, all identical.  I decided last minute to write the names of each author on the front of the envelope, and I am glad I did because Spencer chose to save some of the letters for last.  Once all of the letters were received, I wrapped the entire stack in ribbon and created a little card which explained everything. 

I was very excited to give this present to Spencer.  It just so happened that on his birthday we had a long drive ahead of us.  Just before we left I told him that I would like to drive because he had a present to open.  I then handed him the stack and he looked a little taken back.  The first thing he did was flip through the stack and read the names of people who shared a memory.  I could tell he was excited to read the stories people have of him.  One by one I watched him work his way through.  When all was said and done he thanked me and told me what a cool gift it was to receive.  I can't take credit for all of it though.  This would not have been pulled off if so many wonderful people had not participated.  So thanks goes out to anyone who was involved in this surprise for Spencer!  I love you Spencer, and happy birthday!!