It is 3 months ago today that Kate passed away. In some ways it seems like yesterday and in others it feels like an eternity. I think we all are still are in disbelief that she is gone. If anyone was going to beat the odds, it was Kate. Unfortunately there was just too much to overcome even for the amazing Kate.

So we are now left with celebrating her birthday tomorrow without her. Last year we did not celebrate it until after her birthday but that's because she was having fun celebrating it at Michigan with her friends before she came home for spring break. Sometimes it seems easier to not celebrate it and just treat it like another crappy day without Kate. However, we are never one to take the easy path. For as long as we are able, we will do our best to truly celebrate Kate's birthday and Kate. We will celebrate it because Kate and the life she lived is something to celebrated. Our lives are so much richer for having her in them. We celebrate the tons of love, compassion and laughter she gave all of us during her 19 3/4 years (Kate always liked to specific about her age). We will even celebrate the many times Kate could be stubborn and opinionated because that was also part of who she was.

Many have asked how we are going to celebrate Kate's birthday. We plan to celebrate in the way Kate preferred. This may surprise you but Kate did not like big birthday celebrations. She liked to just celebrate it with family and maybe a close friend. Food was always a big part of the celebration. It was amazing the Kate was not 200 lbs given how much she loved food. So tomorrow we will celebrate Kate doing what gave her joy -- going out to dinner with family. We also may get a Fontano's sub for lunch, another Kate favorite. Maddie and I plan to get pedicures -- we all know how  Kate loved having her nails on fleek (i.e. look great).

We would love it if you also would celebrate Kate's birthday in some way. Do it by doing something that brings you joy, whether it be eating your favorite food with family and/or friends like Kate did, watching bad tv (another Kate fav), exercising (not a Kate fav), etc. Let you heart not your mind guide you. Also if you get a chance take a picture of your celebration and post it on Facebook or Instagram and tag Kate or us so we can see it.

Another birthday favorite of Kate's was the gifts. We would receive her wish list shortly after Christmas, always with links for easy buying. If you want to do some type of gift for Kate's birthday this year, Relay for Life at the University of Michigan (Kate was very involved while at Michigan) has set up a fundraiser to honor Kate (Team Kate is #3 in fundraising). Here is the link:
https://www.crowdrise.com/o/en/campaign/mrelay-fundraiser-in-memory-of-kate-palermo 
Thanks to many of  you who have already given!
We also want to say a big thanks for all the love and support you have shown us the last 3 months. Although it has been the most difficult time of our lives, it would've been so much worse without you. We are truly blessed.