Pure joy from a distance, Day 11

I am creating an online journal during the Coronavirus social distancing so I can look back and remember how my thoughts and actions might change during this time. This is Day 11.

Tuesday, March 24

On Day 11 of our social isolation, we got to experience a moment of pure joy, love, community and excitement. It was a welcome break from our normal days, which are starting to become a mundane stretch of only seeing our immediate family, dreary weather and lack of human contact.

A friend invited us to shoot video and photos of her family’s gender reveal for their baby. Since people aren’t supposed to gather in groups, they asked if we could create a video they could share with family and friends. She said that a few people were planning to attend in person, but would stay in their cars. Andrew, Kent and I headed over with one camera to shoot video, a camera to shoot photos and our drone to capture some aerial shots. We were expecting a quick moment of shooting off some confetti that we would capture in video and photos.

What we got felt like a real life short film. It was a moment that was full of emotion and unbelievable community support during a time when people aren’t able to gather or give hugs or celebrate in the ways we’ve come to expect.

About 10 minutes before the scheduled announcement, cars, minivans and trucks began lining the street. Neighbors stood outside in their yards. People pulled up next to each other and chatted through their windows.

When the family stepped out of their house, they were greeted by honking horns, cheering and even a tambourine.

The family paused to hold hands and pray before the big reveal.

The onlookers counted down, shouting from their vehicles, 10, 9, 8, 7….

My friend, her husband and their two little boys were ready with their rocket confetti launchers. From their reactions, I think they were mentally preparing themselves for another boy.

When the pink confetti filled the air, their joy and excitement was priceless. Friends and family were cheering, honking and celebrating, sending virtual love and hugs from a distance.

Tears were streaming down my face, even as I tried to stay focused on capturing the moment in photos. It was such a gift to get to experience a glimpse of happiness, even when our day-to-day lives are filled with news of the virus spreading, people dying and the economy crashing. Thank you, friends, for inviting us to be part of your lives!