{"id":4465,"date":"2026-07-27T19:09:44","date_gmt":"2026-07-27T19:09:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/silvybrand.com\/?p=4465"},"modified":"2026-07-27T19:09:44","modified_gmt":"2026-07-27T19:09:44","slug":"a-touching-surprise-85th-birthday-party","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/silvybrand.com\/?p=4465","title":{"rendered":"A Touching Surprise 85th Birthday Party"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\"Surprise<\/a><\/p>\n

In early summer, my grandmother sent a text to our family group chat:<\/p>\n

\u201cSAVE THE DATE: June 14th. T\u00eda Marta\u2019s 85th birthday party at my house.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Cut to the day of the party. My husband Max<\/a> and I walk through my grandma\u2019s front door, holding diaper bags and our children\u2019s hands. We make our rounds, kissing cheeks and hugging all our family members \u2014 t\u00edas and t\u00edos, our cousins, our parents, and the group of nieces and nephews whom our older children, Ella and Emiliano, quickly scamper off with.<\/p>\n

When I settle onto a sofa and see my t\u00eda Mimi hastily blowing up balloons I suddenly realize, This isn\u2019t an ordinary birthday party, it\u2019s a surprise party. <\/em><\/p>\n

\"Surprise<\/a><\/p>\n

My t\u00eda Marta married into our family almost four decades ago. She met my great t\u00edo Cris, my grandmother\u2019s oldest brother, on a blind date while he was visiting his brother in Chicago. \u201cI hadn\u2019t expected our date to turn into anything,\u201d says Marta. \u201cHe went back to California afterward, while I stayed in Chicago, and I thought we\u2019d never speak again.\u201d<\/p>\n

To her surprise, Cris stayed in touch by calling her on the phone for a full year after their first date. \u201cOur conversations were often short because he\u2019d call in the evenings, right before my friends and I went out nightclubbing,\u201d says Marta. \u201cWhen I realized how serious he was about me, I thought, well, I guess that\u2019s fate.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Surprise<\/a><\/p>\n

T\u00edo Cris saying hi to my son, Emiliano<\/a>, at Cris\u2019s 100th birthday celebration last year<\/em><\/p>\n

Last year was especially challenging for Marta because a few months after his 100th birthday, Cris\u2019s health declined. From spring to September, Marta did the hard work of caregiving for a sick spouse. She stayed by his side until he took his last breath.<\/p>\n

After his death, my grandmother and t\u00eda Esther regularly checked in on Marta, inviting her to all big and small family gatherings, visiting her home multiple times a month, and helping her navigate this new stage of life. As her 85th birthday drew near, they wanted to plan a party that would make her feel extra special.<\/p>\n

\"Surprise<\/a><\/p>\n

First, they filled my grandmother\u2019s home with colorful paper fans and balloon arches. They ordered burnt almond cupcakes and a German chocolate cake from Peters\u2019 Bakery<\/a>, a staple in San Jose.<\/p>\n

\"Surprise<\/a><\/p>\n

My oldest daughter, Ella<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

That day, as we waited for Marta\u2019s arrival, we snacked on homemade ceviche and planned our hiding spots.<\/p>\n

\"Surprise<\/a><\/p>\n

My baby, Evelynn<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Once my t\u00eda Esther spotted Marta outside, right around the corner, everyone rushed to their positions with party blowers in hand. We held a collective breath as the front doorknob turned, and as soon as Marta walked in, we popped out with a hearty \u201cSURPRISE!\u201d<\/p>\n

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The emotion on her face, after she realized that everyone was there to celebrate her, is unbridled joy. I smile every time I watch this video! Also, how fun is the balloon drop?!<\/p>\n

\"Surprise<\/a><\/p>\n

My grandma and t\u00eda Esther, over the moon that they pulled off the surprise<\/em><\/p>\n

A few days after her party, I called Marta on the phone, curious to hear her thoughts. \u201cI\u2019m not one to celebrate my birthday, because it\u2019s easier for me to give than to receive,\u201d she told me. \u201cBut, oh, it was a very nice surprise. I hope everyone is fortunate enough to have people like my sisters-in-law in their life. I used to joke to Cris, if our marriage doesn\u2019t work out and we split up, Esther and Loida are mine<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Surprise<\/a><\/p>\n

Marta and her baby sister, Gloria, who had flown in from Texas<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Surprise<\/a><\/p>\n

Marta with her great-nieces and nephews<\/em><\/p>\n

Thinking back on that day, I so admire the female friendship and devotion that led to this party. I hope, dream, wish, and pray that I\u2019ll have women in my life who will celebrate and love me that much when I\u2019m in my eighties. It was such a gift to witness.<\/p>\n

Have you ever planned a surprise party, or had one thrown for you? I\u2019d love to hear about it!<\/strong><\/p>\n

P.S. 12 readers share their favorite birthday celebrations<\/a>, and are you friends with any older women?<\/a><\/p>\n

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20<\/span> COMMENTS<\/p>\n

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