Cards, Cards, and More Cards

Last month I celebrated a milestone birthday—the big 50! And I have to admit, it was my most memorable birthday by far, for many reasons.

I wrote several blogs about all the things that happened, so I won’t go into much more detail, but I did have to post one more time about this amazing birthday, because over the weekend I just finished reading the last of the more than 1,200 birthday cards I received.

Yes, you read that right—1,200 cards!!!!

And I read every single one!

Occasionally as I read, family members would join me, pointing out their favorites, sharing a smile or a tear. Someone asked me if I knew everyone who had sent in a card, and although I recognized some of the names, I didn’t recognize them all, and I was touched by how many of you took the time to send me a card.

Someone else asked me if I thought you all expected me to remember the specific greetings you wrote. I hope not! But when I do see you at an event, I’d love to give you a hug and thank you for wishing me a happy birthday, so just let me know if you were one of the many who became part of this milestone birthday.

These hand-stamped cards came from demonstrators and employees (and even demonstrators’ children) from all over the world. They came in many different languages (sometimes translated through Google, which made me smile, because the translation wasn’t always entirely accurate but always endearing).

They were incredibly creative (our warehouse guys made a dock-plate embossed card by running over the card on a dock plate, and our IT guys made a card with a ram featured on front). They were tender and funny and brief and long. . . no two were alike, and they provided hours and hours of wonderful reading!

Several of you welcomed me to the “club”! I didn’t know there was a club, but I guess there is. And I guess I’m a member, whether I want to be or not!

I laughed, I cried, and mostly I just felt incredibly grateful that you are all a part of my life and that you allow me to be a small part of yours!

I’m not sure whose brilliant idea it was; maybe more than one person thought of it and just shared the idea. Regardless, these cards have made my birthday incredibly sweet and memorable, and reminded me again why we do what we do here at Stampin’ Up!

Thank you all so much for taking the time and making the effort to send these cards to me. I hope your next birthday is filled with the same love and caring that I felt this year!

Comments

[Kay Hahn Casler]

You are most welcome! I enjoyed it! And, yes, the requests came from different areas ~ company & demonstrators. We all love you and your company.

[Twila Davis]

WOW! How fun to open up and read all the happy mail. It was such fun to make a special card just for you.

[sharon]

Pretty intimidating making cards for the 'big boss', but oh how fun it was to create something that you would open and read from me...if just for a few seconds.....wow!!...myself and 1199 thought the same....a testament (yet another) of this great company you have built and head.....happy birthday again !!

[Susan Swanson]

What a beautiful photo, you AND the cards. We simply love you Shelli.

[Kathy McDowell]

I'm so glad you had a great time opening and reading them all. Mine didn't have a very long message inside, but I meant every word! Coming up on my 9th year as a demo, and can't imagine doing anything else! Thanks for being such an inspiration!

[Kristi Wilson]

Wow, what a wonderful response! I hope you'll be able to spotlight some of those cards in future publications as sample cards. How fun would THAT be! :)

[Sue Dyas]

I am so glad that you got so many wonderful cards for your Big Birthday celebration! One of 1,200 cards was mine. Just one small way to say "Thank You" to you for all that you do for us and also wish you a Very Special Happy Birthday !!

[Tara Macfarlane]

I'm sure the mail carrier wondered what was going on with all that mail! You inspire all of us everyday when we think of you and Stampin' Up! as a whole. We all wanted you to feel the love on your special day! Now I'm curious what you're going to do with all those cards? :)

[Tiffany Smith]

So glad we made your birthday last so long! You have made an indelible impression on so many lives. We've seen each other at several events, though I never expect you to remember me with all the faces you see in your business. Just know that you are loved very much, and we need not be recognized to get joy from showing it to you!
p.s. I love looking at the cards & seeing all the wonderful designs presented! You got more cards than I have collected at YEARS of convention swaps. :)

[Anne Laflamme]

Hi Shelli.... sorry for my english. You make me smile when you talk about Google translater.... It's my translator normaly.

I want to tell you that you are wonderful and I'm so happy to be a part of Stampin'UP...

I'll like to see all the other cards... I just have a idea. We can show our card on Stampin Connection and white tag : Shelli birthday..

Thank you ... and birthday again...

Merci... je vous aime !!!

[Debbie Megenney]

I had a lot of fun coming up with a special design for your card, and I hope you could tell it was a slice of cake. The love and caring you feel from us demonstrators are the same feelings we get from you. Stampin' Up! is so much more than a company I work for-- it's a family I belong to.
Thanks for all you do!

[Neppie Hay]

Creating a card for "Shelli" was an honor. I enjoyed working on it and sending it for your special day.

[Eva Dietz]

I too sent a card and am glad to know it's part of the pile and that you enjoyed them all (great photo by the way!)

My suggestion is to put up those cards at next year's convention in a special display - 1200 ways to say Happy Birthday. Or break them up into smaller displays all around the Gathering Place for all to view. Since we're family...pass the cards around :-)

[Ginnie Rueber]

Shelli, I think the "club" means the "50 Club", it was a pleasure creating a card for your birthday and neat how we all kept it a secret for you to enjoy. I guess you were wandering what was in the big box before you found out it was our cards to you. Many Happy days for you. It's been an honor to know you and I met you in NJ last year.

[Debi Pippin]

Now that is a pile of love and wishes for you! I meant to send one and hopefully you'll accept mine a bit late.... we will just stretch your birthday out a little longer. I am looking forward to seeing you at leadership since I missed you in Birmingham.
Much happiness and love
Debi Pippin

[Wendie Waldman]

Thank you for reading our cards. What a great way to start your new year. My husband can't figure out why the USPS is in trouble with all the business stampers give them!

[Cindy Dicks]

What a fantastic way to celebrate a milestone birthday (smile). For all that you do and the inspiration you give so many, I am thrilled that you got so many wonderful cards and that is remained a surprise! There were a few requests and as your extended family and as you can see, we were only too happy to participate :) One of 1,200 cards was mine. Just one small way to say "Thank You" to you for all that you do for us and also wish you a Very Special Happy Birthday !!
See you in San Antonio<3

[Keryn Campbell]

I'm glad that I could be part of something that made your Birthday so special. I guess this was one way we could let you know how many lives you've positively impacted through Stampin' Up!®.

[Bec Kilgore]

I celebrated the 6-0 a couple weeks before your 5-0. I think I liked 5-0 better :).

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