Friday, April 19, 2024
When Adrian Johnson first heard the sirens he thought it was for an emergency.
He didn’t realize the sirens were for him – a parade honoring his 30th birthday.
About 75 vehicles in all responded to a request his mother put on social media:
“So I have a question,” Michaela Dodge said on Facebook. “We just moved here last week. July 9th is my special needs son birthday. He will be 30 but has the mind mentally of a 5 year old. We don’t know anyone and my daughter is the only family we have that lives here.
“I would love to have him a drive by parade to wish Adrian a happy bday. Would anyone be interested?”
Would they ever.
The parade included vehicles from law enforcement, fire/ambulance, a motorcycle riding club and Jeep club, and people from the community.
Vehicles filled the Emma Roberson Elementary School parking lot before moving toward Adrian’s home on Spanish Trail Drive in Misty Meadows.
Gifts, money, cards, candy and balloons started piling up in his front yard. “Every person was so loving and kind, and it keeps coming,” Dodge said. “He got more cards in the mail today.”
Adrian wasn’t supposed to live past age 9. He wasn’t supposed to walk or talk but does both.
He enjoys going out to eat, and being at the beach and with his family, his mother said.
“He loves to meet new people,” she said. “If you ever meet him you will never forget him.”
After the parade Adrian beamed, “Wow, this was the best birthday I ever had!”
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