Neighborhood Celebrates Birthday of Maple Grove Boy
The coronavirus outbreak means a lot of kids are disappointed because they can’t have birthday parties, including newly-minted 8-year-old Teigan Smith of Maple Grove. But one neighbor was determined to make Teigan’s birthday unforgettable anyway.
“I called a few of my friends to see if we couldn’t do a little drive by birthday parade for him,” said Mark Wuestewald.
That’s one way to make a kid forget about being sad he wouldn’t have a normal birthday party this year. “He was in tears and everything,” said mom Jaclyn Smith. “He was really very sad about not being able to have a party.”
But as Teigan watched car after car pass his house honking and waving happy birthday signs, that sadness was gone. “Just pure joy,” said Jaclyn. Dad Matthew said, “It’s one of the best things that’s happened in a really long time.”
The parade wasn’t quite the Tournament of Roses, but to 8-year-old Teigan, it was “really cool.” Teigan has attended local parades, but none like this one. “Not for my birthday!”
The birthday parade brightened a little kid’s day – and his parents’ too.”We had to do something special even in this coronavirus madness,” said Matthew. “Still gotta have something to celebrate.”
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Brandon Bankston, Reporting
