On Easter Sunday, Skip Smith turned 75 years old, normally he and his wife Jacky would have a house filled with kids and grandkids visiting for dinner to celebrate.
The Smiths, who have been married for 35 years, have six children and 16 grandchildren, they usually help with babysitting and are used to seeing their family on a weekly basis.
The COVID-19 Pandemic has changed things for the Smith family, with some of their children being essential workers in the healthcare world.
Two weeks ago, their son in law, Rob Marsceil, decided to chat with the family via text to create a special day for Skip on his 75th birthday.
With the help of the Byron Fire Department, the family held a parade complete with signs, music, lights and sirens to liven up the other wise quiet country scene in Byron on Easter Sunday.
“I think the hardest thing about today was seeing them leave, I didn’t realize how difficult it was going to be when they started driving away and I didn’t get to spend time with them. It was really fun having them here, like a high and a low, but seeing them leave,” says Jacky.