Another Proud Dad Moment—Band Stops to Sing Happy Bday to Brittni

The American Cancer Society held its first Black and White Gala since the COVID-19 pandemic at Double Tree Hotel in Lafayette Saturday, August 27, 2022. I was extremely honored to have been chosen as one of this year's honorees. The night was exceptionally moving for me and my family, not only were we celebrating Brittni's good health since being diagnosed with cancer in 2016, but it was also Brittni's 29 birthday.

Ellen (CJ and Ellen in the Morning), her husband Fletcher, Bernadette Lee (News Talk KPEL) and my son Blake were in attendance and seated at a table just left of the stage. Brittni and I were seated across from each other at the honoree table which was directly in front of the stage and centered in the middle of the beautifully decorated room.

The plan was for David D'Aquin, the emcee for the event, to announce Brittni's birthday at the end of the presentation and for a cake with 29 lit candles to come out from one of the side entrances to be presented to Brittni. That plan failed miserably. D'Aquin announced Brittni's birthday very quickly and ended the presentation. There was no cake as cues were missed.

The Phunky Monkeys, an incredible band from New Orleans had started and so had the party. They were in the middle of "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor when all of a sudden—here comes the cake.

The band pauses the song right at the chorus and sings happy birthday to Brittni with everyone joining in. And in the middle of "I Will Survive". The universe had to be watching because what started out as a complete blunder, turned into the perfect birthday moment.