NewlyWoodwards

an unconventional home

A book of memories for a milestone birthday

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My momma (otherwise known as Arizona Lainey) turned 60 last week.

She told us she didn’t want a party. (And then she invited like 30 people to her house for her own non-party.)

But since she didn’t want us to throw her a party, we had to come up with some way to celebrate 60 years of greatness. I mean, she’s epic. So, I came up with an idea to pull together some of the people who love her the most to share their favorite memories of her first 60 years.

And the “60 and fabulous” memory book was born.

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As mom’s birthday approached, I wanted to create a book filled with memories. So, I started contacting everyone I could in May – her siblings, nieces and nephews, old coworkers, friends from home, friends from Arizona … I even went as far as to send Facebook messages to her friends on Facebook. (Stalker, much?)

I sent a message explaining that I wanted to compile at least 60 memories for my mom and asked for everyone to either mail or email their memories to me. It took a little follow-up, but I was able to get a huge variety of memories.

And I loved it when the letters and emails started pouring in.

Then, I went to Shutterfly (armed with a 50 percent off coupon) and created a 12×12 photo book with lay flat pages. (Love those lay flat pages.)

I used one of their designs and worked my way through all the memories. Some letters were a full page while other memories were only a few sentences. I mixed them all up. For those memories I received by mail, I added blank pages to the book.

I started with a letter from my dad and from my brother and I. Then, from Henry and Ryan. And then onto my grandparents and all six of my mom’s siblings.
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Here’s a couple other pages – I love how it turned out looking like a scrapbook.

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When mom opened her gift, she loved all the pictures on the front, but didn’t realize what was inside. When she opened it up and saw the intro page, she teared up. And she pretty much cried through every page. She said it was the best gift she’s ever received. I hope it reminds her of all the lives she’s touched in her 60 years. And of course, how much she’s loved.

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On the back of the book was written, “To capture all the good memories we have of you, we’d have to use all the paper in the world.” DSC_0113

I prefer the 12×12 hardcover books at Shutterfly with layflat pages. 

 

 

I was inspired by the 60 letters from Nothing but Bonfires.

Comments

  1. Do you have a sample of what you send out to everyone? I was wanting to do this for my father and I am working on the letter to everyone now?

  4. I cried just reading this! What an amazingly thoughtful tribute to your mom. 100% love it.

  6. This is such a wonderful idea and we are a planning a similar book for an upcoming retirement. I was curious, how did you get your electronic letters (word docs or PDFs, etc) uploaded to Shutterfly? Did you convert them to images and then upload?

  7. Thank you so much for this beautiful idea! I don’t have nearly that much time – but I’m gonna try to follow your lead and get something together for my mom’s 70th at the end of the month!!

  9. i love this!! (really, i love me a good photo book no matter what!). and what dedication to follow up and get all that material. this is definitely an idea i’m storing away for later!

  11. Wow! Such an inspiration. My mum turns 60 towards the end of September. I only thought of this idea today. I’ve got some work ahead of me! I think she’ll love it though. 🙂

  13. Wow! It turned out lovely! I can only imagine all the hard work (and love!) that went into the book for your mom. Every time I’ve ever tried to start a photobook I get overwhelmed. Yours is oh so special. Thanks for sharing!

    • Thanks so much for the kind words. It was a lot of work, but I find that photo books work best for me when I have a deadline and MUST.GET.THEM.DONE. oTherwise, they simply get put off.

  15. Such a thoughtful and meaningful gift!!! Your mom is one lucky gal to have you as her daughter!! She is looking fabulous at 60!!!

  16. LOVE this!! You did an amazing job. Love the layout you did in Shutterfly and I am amazed that you compiled all the memories from people in her life. She will treasure it forever. Last year my parents celebrated 40’s years of marriage and I made them a HUGE photo book on shutterfly too. My dad secretly gave me all the boxes of 1000’s of pictures she has in the basement. I scanned over 800 pictures from when they started dating in the early 70’s. The digital pictures didn’t start until 2006!! Crazy, right? Just like your mom, my Mom cried at every turn of the page. It took me months to do but was worth every minute. The most joy I get is when she shows people when they come to the house.

  17. what an amazing gift! I know how much work just a photo book is; I can only imagine how much time you put into this–you rock!

  18. Turning 60 is totally awesome! I have the most talented wonderful daughter that any mom could ever ask for. It was so incredibly awesome to read all the notes from friends and family. All of my tears were tears of joy! It brought back so many wonderful memories and made the entire day an event that I will cherish in my heart forever. Thank you Kimberly, for making my 60th an event of my life. I love you forever!

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