Cheri Stigler, the owner of Paw Paw’s Sweet Shop Café in downtown Garland, was determined that her son, Jadon, would have a great birthday party despite the current social distancing restrictions and Jadon was concerned about how he would celebrate his birthday.
“I was sad because I didn’t think I would even get to celebrate with my family,” Jadon said.
So, when the idea for a parking lot party came to Stigler, she ran with it because it was a way to keep the correct distance, but still get Jadon, his family and some of his classmates together. With the help of her family and the staff at Paw Paw’s, she made it happen.
Jadon’s classmates and their parents met in the restaurant parking lot, most of them in cars with sunroofs so that the kids could stand up and visit. They enjoyed chicken strip baskets and milkshakes while they visited at a safe distance.
“The moms enjoyed it, too, because they hadn’t seen each other in six weeks,” Stigler said.
Audra Dean and her daughter Brynlie, one of Jadon’s classmates, had a great time. Audra said that she hadn’t realized how much she needed to get out of the house.
“I hadn’t left my house since March 16 and I felt revived and energized when we left the party, even a little more hopeful that we will be OK no matter the adjustments we may have to make in the short term,” she said. “We will figure it out and God will guide us.”
Brynlie, who hadn’t seen her friends in several weeks before today’s party, said she had a great time.
“It felt really good. I really took seeing them for granted,” she said. “We still have the same connection that we had. No one lost any connection and we all still love each other so very much.”
Brynlie added that she missed laughing with friends at school and said she didn’t realize how much she missed them until she saw them in person.
“Facetime goes a long way but not as long as seeing them in person,” Brynlie said.
Stigler was happy that the kids were able to get together and laugh and have fun.
“I think that as a society we believe that these kids are OK with being connected through technology, but at the end of the day, nothing is ever going to replace that good old-fashioned one on one human contact. That’s what we were made for.”
It turned out to be a great birthday for Jadon.
“It was so fun to see all my friends from school,” he said. “I really miss them.”
If you need to throw a fun, social-distanced birthday party, get in touch with them by calling 972-494-4200. They’d love to help you plan and organize a Carhop Party in their parking lot. This would be a great party of all ages!
Follow them on Facebook: Paw Paw’s. Visit their: website.
Paw Paw’s Sweet Shop is located at 823 Main Street in downtown Garland.
Photos by Cheri Stigler, Stephanie Walker