Kay and I recently attended a birthday party for the daughter of two friends I went to high school with—and coincidentally, their daughter also has Type One Diabetes. I hadn’t seen them in years, but I remembered when they first shared their diagnosis story online and how overwhelming it was for their family. Every diagnosis journey is different, and I’m grateful I caught Kay’s early—otherwise, our story might have looked very different.
It felt comforting to be around another family who truly understands life with Type One. There was this unspoken “I see you, and I’m with you” connection. As with most birthday parties—especially when it’s your own kid’s—things were busy, so we didn’t get much time to catch up. Still, it was really nice to see them again, meet their children, and simply share the space.
I did get a chance to speak with one of their parents, and in just a few moments of conversation, I felt seen. We shared a mutual understanding of just how hard this journey can be—not just for the kids, but for us as parents too. It’s emotional. It can be traumatic. No two days are the same. Just when you think you’ve figured it all out, something shifts, and that can feel so defeating. That small exchange meant more than I realized—it was exactly what I needed, especially with how many curveballs diabetes has thrown our way lately.
Kay had a blast running around the playground, soaking up the sunshine, and having water fights. She was offered both cupcakes and cake, and she happily chose a cupcake. As always, she was thrilled to sing “Happy Birthday”—still one of her favorite songs, which always makes me giggle. It turned out to be such a fun and refreshing afternoon for both of us.