Night to Shine

Friday night, February 8th, Blu and I attended Night to Shine!

It was the very best prom I've ever been to.

Night to Shine is an event sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation and it was put on this year in Amarillo for the first time.  It's a lovely night for the special needs community.  Those with special needs get to dress up, be pampered, and have a night that's just for them!  We found out about this event via someone at Blu's work who said to him that it sounded like an event we would enjoy. Blu came home one evening and told me about it, neither of us having ever heard about it before, and we both excitedly agreed to do it!

So Friday rolls around, Blu and I dress up and head to the event.  It was the best!  We get there and are matched up with a guest.  My buddy's name was Dani and she was my pal for the whole night!  We got her makeup done with natural shades and a slight purple hue of eye shadow (her favorite color).  Her hair was left mostly down and curled, with a little bun made out of braids.  She picked out some beautiful earrings, and we headed to start our evening!  We first found the line to get our pictures taken.  We got up there and she took one by herself then we took one together!  At the end of the night, we picked up the physical prints of those pictures -- already framed!  Then we walked around a bit, watched people do karaoke, and got in line to ride the limo!  At this point, I had already asked Dani about how she rescued an opossum -- such a fun story!!  She showed me so many pictures of Opie her possum and them cuddling and him smiling.  I found out that she worked at a wild life park and she loooves animals.  And especially bugs!!  We got into the huge limo and rode around WT's campus -- so fun!  Once we parked back at the building, we each got out one at a time and Dani got to walk the red carpet with people high-fiveing and cheering her on from all sides!  So special.  After that, we ate food and chatted!  Then we went to find Dani's mom in the respite room and say hi to her :)  Dani and I went back upstairs and did some dancing!!  Blu and his friend, Patrick, danced with us too!  At the end of the night, Blu and I got to crown Patrick and Dani as King and Queen with a crown and tiara!
Dani is so loved.
Patrick is so loved.

Throughout the night, more than anything else really, Dani just wanted to talk to people.  She knew quite a few people there and she was hugging her friends and saying hi quite a lot!  She was telling other girls how beautiful they were -- even when a couple of people didn't recognize Dani herself because of her lovely dress, makeup, and hair!!  At the end of the evening, we made friends with a guest whose named was Justin.  Justin couldn't speak well but he knew how to sign.  Dani was deaf until age 16 so she also knew ASL.  She went right up to Justin and started signing with him.  She made him feel seen.  Included.
Justin is so loved.

And, Dani my friend, you are a minister.
You love people. You see them.
Your life IS a ministry.

At the end of the night, I was with Dani and her mom.  Her mom asked Dani is she was glad that she came. Dani answered, "yes...more than words."  It was such a special evening and ending with a few happy tears and lots of hugs.

I loved getting to do this with my husband. It's been the most beautiful thing getting to witness his compassion and getting to watch him discover new ways of loving on people that bring life to him.

Logistically, the night sounds super fun!  I mean, it totally was.  The limo, red carpet, getting gussied up, food, pictures, the dancing...!!!  But you can't even put into words the feeling of the night.  There was so much love in that giant room of people.  No one was self-conscious of how they looked or what mask to wear or how they should act to get people to like them.  No one was distracted with drama or social competition.  No one was inappropriate or selfish.  In fact, quite the opposite.
Everyone was focused on giving.  On loving.  On acknowledging the beauty in every.single.person.
The evening was pure, lovely, fun, and beautiful.  LOVE was felt and seen everyone you turned!
It was truly a snippet of Heaven on earth.  The two collided that night.  I cannot wait to experience that more fully in all its glory someday!
Til then, we shall continue trying to spend more time loving, seeing, and shining.