For the party we dressed in pink! We kept it very casual so I wore a soft pink t-shirt and added a breast cancer ribbon scarf. Caroline had plenty of pink to choose from but my favorite part of her outfit was the pink ribbon bow that my friend Lisa got her. And for Thomas, my friend Laura designed a breast cancer ribbon that I printed on transfer paper and ironed on to a onesie. Oh, and he also borrowed a pair of his sister’s pink socks!
We did coolers of beer for the guys. But for the ladies I threw together a fun “ta-ta-tini” (pink lemonade, sprite and vodka) which was a little too yummy!
We all had such a fun time picking out cup sizes and laughed every time someone lost their drink and could be heard asking if anyone had seen a 34C cup anywhere.
For decorations I kept it simple and split a large pink Dahlia bouquet from the Farmer’s Market into several small arrangements.
When I began planning our little shindig Matt’s only request was that I didn’t do the cooking. He knows how stressed out I can get in the kitchen trying to heat the food as guests arrive and he wanted me to be able to enjoy the party from start to finish. As much as I love doing the cooking, I agreed and let Cantina cater our party with a taco bar. It was perfect and I didn’t have to worry about a thing. They delivered it, set it up and everything was in disposables so it was super easy clean up!
I did however make my pumpkin dip in a pink pumpkin.
And for dessert we had tata cake!
On to my favorite part of the party…friends and babies!
Between Aunt Mel and Aunt Laura, Thomas was taken care of all night long.
The party went late. Like, way later than I can hang these days but it was the perfect night. The guys played a lot of cornhole and played with fire, the kiddies roasted marshmallows, ate too many M&Ms and played with bubbles and the girls passed the babies around, cleared out many bottles of champagne and had the very best girl time.
These girls. They are some of my very best friends. I’ve laughed, cried and prayed with, for and alongside each one of these sweet girls over the past six’ish years. I couldn’t feel more blessed to have these women in my family’s life! They’ve always been there for me and this celebration was no exception!
And because they are unbelievably generous, they surprised me with gifts to get me through these next few months – stacks of magazines, a monogrammed robe, a blowout gift card, button up pajamas, the softest and most comfortable button up shirt and cardigan, a VS gift card to get a new bra and more!
This party is just the perfect reflection of the excitement we are all feeling for you as you take charge of your health! You don't know how much I've thought of you within the past several weeks, just feeling so much happiness for you as this burden is lifted from your mind and shoulders. Ta-ta, TATAS! See ya on the flipside! (And obviously, hugs and prayers to you guys over the next hours, days, weeks … you got this, girl.)
Best of luck to you, brave girl! Love the party – it looks like y'all had so much fun!
Keeping you in my thoughts this week. Please let us know if there is anything at all we can do to help! I am so impressed by your bravery and wish you an easy, straightforward and successful surgery tomorrow.
Pray lots and lots and lots for you sweet girl!!
You are such an amazing person and this is such a perfect party on so many levels! What a great reason to get together with friends, and even with everything going on every detail is still perfect! Good luck with your surgery, I'll definitely be thinking of you!
What a unique and precious party! Praying for you constantly! For your doctors, your recovery, your husband and kids. Always remember, God is the great Physician!
Such a great party for so many reasons! Best of luck tomorrow!
Perfect party for a strong mama and strong family! Sending you good thoughts and prayers. You're a tough cookie!!!!
Praying for your family today and through your recover process! You've got this Mama!!
You are so unbelievably brave! I will be thinking of you today and hope that it all goes well xx
I'm so glad you have such an amazing community to support and love on you! Prayed for you this morning and will continue to pray for you and your family. I can't imagine how all of these feels especially with everything else happening and I'm so happy that you are making this brave choice for yourself and your family. Sending big hugs your way! xo
Honestly, there are no words – to approach this with such humor and grace – I am in awe of you! All of the good vibes for a safe and speedy recovery are headed your way!
I'm with Stephanie! I have no words, but you are definitely my hero! Hugs and prayers!!
I loved this post! Prayers for you!
Amazing celebration! Lots of prayers to you, your surgeons and your whole family today and the recovery time to follow!!!!
You're so amazing! Beautiful party! Sending many prayers your way!
You always know how to throw a fun shindig! Praying for your surgery and recovery, and the months to come. You are strong and courageous my friend!!
I read this post first thing this morning and instantly prayed for you, your family, and the doctors and nurses who will be caring for you. Thinking of you during this time!
You are one rad lady. Best of luck to you — you and your family are in my prayers!
Love this! You are so wonderful at enjoying life and your friends and family and I just love everything about this party, EXCEPT for the fact that you're about to have surgery! You'll be in my thoughts and prayers, for a smooth procedure and a speedy recovery. xoxo
Such a fun party. Love how you're looking at the positives! Thinking and praying for you dear blog friend!
I love your attitude about this whole thing. Lifting you and your family up in prayer today! Looks like you are surrounded with some amazing people to get you through all this! XO
Such a fun party! Praying for you and your family! Thank you for sharing this journey.
Praying all goes well and wishing you peace and comfort during this journey. Hope recovery goes smoothly and keep smiling. Your babies I'm sure will thank you one day for this incredibly hard decision. God bless.
What an incredible celebration — and incredible support system! Prayers to you, beautiful friend!
Lifting you, your family, surgeons, and nurses in prayer today.
Praying for you big time today, Christina!!
Wow, Christina. I will be thinking about and praying for you!!! I love that you were able to "celebrate" with your best friends. Having that kind of support is priceless!! I'll be thinking about you and your sweet family this week. Prayers for a very smooth and seamless recovery. xoxo
Amazing. Beautiful. Praying hard for y'all!
Beaucoup prayers for your surgery this week. Warmest wishes for a healthy and speedy recovery!! Looks like a fabulous send off to the ta-tas….dying over the cup size 🙂
Thoughts and prayers to you. Your so courageous and brave to take your health in your own hands and proactively protecting yourself.
thinking of you and your family! you are such a brave woman and i hope you have a fast recovery. cute party and im so glad you have such thoughtful friends to support you through this! xo jillian – cornflake dreams
Love your attitude about all of this!! It's so positive and such a good inspiration for other people going through something similar. A good group of girlfriends is the best- so lucky you have such supportive people around you and the new ta-tas will be fun 😉 Sending prayers for an easy recovery
Love this party!!! Such a marvelous way to take such a scary and anxiety-producing situation into something that can be enjoyed and celebrated. I've always said throwing parties is my love language — it really seems like it is for your family, too! I'm so glad you're able to be surrounded by a wonderful support system of friends!!! Sending prayers for a smooth surgery immaculately performed and easy, quick recovery! You're a fighter!!!!
Looks like an amazing farewell party!! Will be praying for you!!!
What a positive and upbeat way to handle this! Very inspiring. You and your family are in my prayers!
Glad the party was so much fun and that you are surrounded by so much love and support!! Thinking of you today!
You are so brave! I have been thinking about your story all week and please know that you have been in my thoughts. I will pray for a successful surgery tomorrow. You are truly an inspiration.
Definitely sending prayers your way tomorrow and the days that follow. I love the idea of a fun party to prepare yourself and the taco bar looked so yummy! Good luck!
Sending many many prayers and blessings your way! A road to a speedy recovery too!
Love that your friends and family came out to support you!! Prayers for tmrw and a speedy recovery brave momma!!
I've followed your blog for years now and have shared your recipes, party ideas, scary life moments and inspiring stories with my friends and family in Arizona. I can't even remember how I came across your blog originally, but yours is the only one I've ever followed consistently. Thank you for sharing your personal life struggles on here – I know it can't be easy and I know I couldn't do it! I had a friend battle stage four breast cancer at the age of 30 last year and I think the decision you have made is so brave and smart. From a stranger in AZ who has never left a comment on your blog before, I wanted you to know that you are in my prayers and that I'm praying for a speedy recovery!
What a wonderful last hoorah before surgery! Loved the cup-size cups… that would be fun for a bachelorette or bridal shower! Prayers with you and your family!!xo Kelli kellifornialove.blogspot.com
I absolutely love following your blog. You're such a special person— I am amazed at how well you've handled different trials that have come your way! Such a testimony to your character & who you are as a person! This looks like such a sweet time with friends, I am so glad God has given you such wonderful people to walk through life with! Continuing to pray for you!!
You are absolutely amazing and I will be thinking of you and your family over the next few days and sending lots of love and support. Your party looks like it was so much fun and I love how you have embraced this challenge that has been put in front of you. Prayers and warm thoughts your way. -Emily eloquentlyemily.blogspot.com
Wonderful send off!!!! And way to keep it positive!!! Prayers for you!!
What an amazing idea for a party, and a well deserved one for you! Best of luck and all kinds of happy thoughts will be coming from Maryland!
What a wonderful celebration and great way to send off "the girls"! I prayed for y'all this morning and will continue to do so as you recover. I'm so inspired by your strength and courage! Lots of love!
I love this idea so much! That cake is adorable too. I bet it was hilarious when drinks were lost. LOL! Sorry for all the comments but I've been out of town a lot the last 2 weeks & I'm just catching up on blog reading. I'll be saying prayers for everyone involved!
i love you so much… the fact that you were able to celebrate just shows how incredible you are friend!! i hope everything went well today and just know i am thinking about you LOTS!!! OXOX
Praying! So encouraged by your bravery!
I love this! What a fun way to say adios to your boobs! Best of luck tomorrow, I'll definitely be keeping you and your family in my prayers!
Prayers to you and your family! Every day after today is another day of healing and getting stronger!!
Praying for you. I can't imagine having to make this decision, but you are so strong! Thanks for sharing your faith and hope for the future!
God luck tomorrow Christina! I am thinking of you and sending warm thoughts your way. Your party looked like a hit! My favourite part was the cake with the candles in it hahah so cute!
That looks like one perfect farewell. I am sending lots of prayers and warm thoughts for a great recovery your way. As someone who lost their grandmother to breast cancer and lives with the thought it might happen to me, I applaud your decision to stay strong and fight!
Thinking of you! Praying for a speedy recovery!
What a lovely party. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. You have handled all that life has thrown at you with good humor and grace.
Thinking of you today! Best wishes for a speedy recovery!!!
this sounds like an absolutely awesome idea. good luck today!p.s. LOVE channing! we used to work together at Erwin Penland. we still try and get together for girls' dinners. she's one of my favorites.
What a fun party – thoughts and prayers for you and your family and speedy recovery – you are one tough momma and your kids will know that one day when you tell them about your decision.
Prayers for successful surgery and an easy (relatively) recovery. You're a brave woman!
The party was beautiful – all of the details were perfect!! Praying that your surgery went smoothly and that you have a quick recovery – you are amazing!!
Just thought of you this morning….praying for your recovery!
Perfection! I saw your IG pics and I am so glad the surgery went great! Continued prayers for your recovery. Hugs!!!
Praying for you and your family! What a great support team you have! You have such strength to face this head on. I lost my mother from breast cancer and have never been tested. She was 63 when she was first diagnosed, so doctors haven't had much opinion about it for me. After reading your blog, I might request being tested. Thanks for being so open about this.
You are so cute!! This has to be the best party yet!! So proud of you and was glad to see the surgery went well on IG!! xoxo
Cutest party ever! Hope you're doing well from surgery!
You are such an inspiration Christina and I love that you are breaking the chain of breast cancer for yourself. Your children have one brave mama – one that luckily they will get to have for many years thanks to this preventative surgery. Best wishes to you dear!
you already know this, but you are beyond brave. beyond strong. beyond selfless. it's pretty clear that all of us here in blog land are super proud of you and wishing you an amazingly speedy recovery.
Best of luck! You have the most positive attitude. Also, I love how in every picture of Thomas, there is a little girl with eyes on him. He is going to have to fend off the ladies as he grows! Prayers.
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Christina once again your sweet nature shines through every post you write. I've just caught up on about 7 of your posts in a row and you really draw us into your real life, I love how open and how you trust God for your life. I am so in awe of you I think we would be great friends if we were on the same continent! Praying for you sweetie xx Lizzie xx
It makes me happy to know that you have such a wonderful group of friends to support you throughout this journey. You are so brave! Super cute party, by the way. 🙂
What an amazing celebration for an even more amazing woman! Xo, Stephanie
This was so beautiful to read/experience. Thank you for sharing 🙂