You’d had such a great time at your 18th, and we wanted to do something special for your 21st. But it wouldn’t feel right to have a party, without you being there. It was hard knowing what to do, especially as Marcus would be on a Yr 13 study trip to Paris and Melanie in Spain..… in the end, though, your lovely friends made the decision for us. They’d had their own 21st celebrations that year and wanted to celebrate yours too. They asked if they could come round, and we were so grateful to know they wanted to share the day with us. Our dear friends rallied to support us too, everyone wanting to make it happen and to do it right. 9th May 2009 fell on a Saturday (which you would have loved – no work that day and a lie-in on Sunday morning!) and so we decided to hold an open-invitation barbeque at home. First though, we visited you, bringing with us a stunning arrangement of tropical flowers; Nicola had chosen them perfectly. You’d had quite a few visitors already that morning - there were balloons, flowers, birthday cards and even little presents including a can of Fosters. Back at home, we had 21 black and white helium balloons delivered and when guests arrived in the afternoon, we asked them if they’d like to write a message for you on little cards, and attach them to the balloons, which had all floated to the living room ceiling by then! There were far more messages than balloons and I was surprised how some of them could still float with all that extra weight. It was a beautiful sunny afternoon (thank goodness that every time we’ve had a get-together in your memory, the sun has been shining – that must be an omen) and friends of all ages came round. Ian had only finished the new decking about five minutes before the first guests arrived so it was a bit hit and miss whether we would be ready or not, but everything looked great and it went well. About 4-ish it was time to release the balloons. We grouped in the garden, hanging onto their ribbons, waiting for the countdown to send them off all at once. When we let them go, many of us were in tears …. it was so emotional, especially as the balloons all floated up together into the sky … like we’d all joined together to send you a special present for your 21st, the only one you could still accept: all our love. xxxx