by Tammy Phillips
June 9, 2025
The LORD has done great things for us, [And] we are glad. Psalms 126:3 (NKJV)
Last Friday, I officially stepped into my 60s!
How can I even begin to describe the days leading up to, and the wonder that unfolded over, my birthday weekend? It felt like a beautifully crafted film, complete with a flawless script. While I played a small role in the unfolding story, it was my incredible husband, precious family, and dear friends who produced and directed Lala’s 60th: The Birthday of Extravagant Love. It was a masterpiece of love, a multitude of surprises, and unforgettable moments.
It all began on April 5th with a celebratory girls trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico with my lifelong best friends who welcome the same milestone in 2025. We arrived to a snowy, thirty-degree, Santa Fe. Four days later, we departed to a temp that was forty-three degrees higher.
We feasted, sipped, wondered, prayed, and laughed loudly. We explored churches, museums, and browsed shops from downtown to Canyon Road. We cherished every moment. At Gusterman Silversmiths, I discovered a dazzling 18kt gold, six carat emerald, pearl pendant that sparkled with impossible allure and a whopping $17,000 dollar price tag! I teased and sent a pic to my husband and friend who had recommended the jeweler, “I found my birthday gift!” I decided on a more realistic silver and gold dotted heart pendant. it was an incredible way to kick off our milestone year.
My actual birthday month of May kicked off with a “luxury-experience” dinner at Eddie V’s in Nashville with good friends on the eve of the APSU Candlelight Ball. We have frequented this restaurant and always enjoyed, however, this time, I think Eddie V’s mistook us for another party. We were treated like royalty at a Michelin-starred eatery. We were seated at the best table overlooking Broadway. Our waiter attended to us like we were the only souls in the room. The chef created a perfect amuse-bouche for our table, not found on any menu. Our Captain, the true maestro of the evening, orchestrated every detail with grace. He also surprised us with extra sides, personally chose and gifted the table with a variety of desserts. We left that evening stunned. It was evening that I have not experienced anywhere else in the world.
The morning after the ball, we flew south to Sawgrass on shores of Ponte Vedra Beach. The weather was near perfect, the sands were quiet and nearly deserted. It felt like our own private paradise.
We spent our days digging on the beach, laughing, and sharing meals with my nephew, niece-in-love, and our two high spirited great-nephews. Everywhere we dined, I proclaimed, “It’s my birthday” with a wink and a smile. (P.S. This is not how I usually operate nor celebrate.)
We loved our time away, but happily arrived home to a Mother’s Day blessing. Our granddaughter was dedicated to the Lord. My youngest son, thoughtful as ever, planned a delectable brunch for his wife and me. My eldest and his sweet wife sent a precious pic of our grandkids. It was a capture of pure joy in a frame. They also gifted me my next salon visit.
Just three days later, I was fortunate to visit my eldest son, daughter-in-love, and GRANDson for a few days of laughter, love, and play before out next grand’s arrival.
I share these memories to recount how richly blessed and full of celebration my birthday month was. And, to lay the groundwork for all that was yet to unfold.
Here is where the plot began to twist and turn. Kris concocted a tale about a birthday dinner in Nashville on Friday, May 30th. But first, he said, we had to make a brief stop to celebrate a friend who shares my day. Then came the sudden shift: “Oops,” he said, “Plans changed—we are actually going Saturday.”
Many little things did not quite align. I began to suspect that something was up, but I had no idea the depths of his deceptive plan.
I questioned why Mom and Lennie decided to “drop by” on their way to Boston to celebrate my birthday. This meant an extra leg to their journey. We welcomed their arrival and picked them up on Wednesday prior to my day. We shared a wonderful dinner at one of my favorite Nashville spots. Thursday we just relaxed.
Friday morning came. It was my actual birthday! Kris rose early and decorated my office and coffee bar with sweet little birthday signs. While he went to work, we went out for a celebratory breakfast and a little shopping.
When we arrived home, I was surprised with a magnificent bouquet of my favorite-colored flowers from my dad and Linda. It was a huge floral hug. Texts, calls and Facebook well wishes overwhelmingly flowed in throughout the day. My heart was truly overwhelmed with gratitude.
However, something was off. I did not receive ONE card nor gift in the mail. This was highly unusual.
One of my best friends laughingly explained from her mountain cabin that she had mailed my gift to herself. (I thought there must not be a surprise party because Pam would be here.) My other bestie, typically the earliest to send something, had gone silent. She had even mentioned bringing back something special for me from Africa. And my third bestie, ever thoughtful, simply suggested we meet for lunch the following week…somewhere halfway between Knoxville and Cookeville.
OK…I smiled. I nodded. But quietly, I thought… how very strange. Something was up. I just could not figure it out.
Since were celebrating on Saturday, I chose a casual Mexican meal Friday night. While at dinner, our youngest called and invited us over so that my mom and Lennie could see their home.
SURPRISE #1: Parker, Caroline and Harper greeted us at the door with a big, beautiful chocolate and peanut butter cake. Brayden, Mary Claire, and Jack were Facetiming. All were singing, “Happy Birthday!” For a moment, I thought my Memphis family was going to pop out from hiding, but that did not happen.
Kris led me to the couch with mischief was in his eyes. He explained to me a crazy story of how Brayden’s family was coming to meet us on Saturday. However, MC was so late into her pregnancy, they had decided not to make the trip.
Then he instructed, “Close your eyes and hold out my hands.” I did. “You will need to wear this where we’re going tomorrow,” he added, placing something carefully into my palms.
SURPRISE #2. I opened my eyes—and gasped.
Resting in my hands was what I thought was the 17,000-dollar emerald pendant I had found in New Mexico. SHOCKED and DISMAYED was an understatement!!! I think I exclaimed, “Y’all have LOST YOUR MINDS!!!”
Plot twist, the Santa Fe jeweler refused to negotiate. So, in true cinematic fashion, my husband and mother had conspired to have a replica made.
WHEW and WOW!
What a surprise! They got me! It was still a very extraordinary and wildly extravagant gift. I was undone. No words. (Heartfelt thanks to our “family jeweler, “ Elliot Herzlich who brought the vision to life in record time.)
Late Friday night, my heart was full, and my thoughts were swirling. I expressed my deep gratitude. I told Kris how I had imagined “this and that” might happen—and how thankful I was that none of it had. No big party, no grand spectacle.
I told him we DID NOT have to go to Nashville for dinner. We could stay right here in Clarksville. He had done more than enough—and then some.
But then Saturday arrived.
Since Nashville was cancelled, I chose a quiet spot for dinner. Simple. Familiar. Easy. However, as the day unfolded, Kris suggested a change of plans. Parker and Caroline, he said, had eaten at my chosen locale for lunch. WHAT? Really? That seemed odd.
He suggested Rafferty’s which closer to where we supposedly needed to stop by a friend’s birthday gathering before dinner. I did not like that idea and he succumbed to my original choice. I wanted to leave Mom and Lennie at home and swing back for them afterward, just to simplify the evening.
Kris was not budging. He said, “That’s crazy. We’re all going together.”
Off we went to “the other party.” I strongly suggested that Mom and Lennie should stay downstairs. It was not our party and I thought it rude for them to come up. Kris oddly said, “They can come up, use restroom and stay outside.”
I was irritated and thought, “WHATEVER!”
We stepped in the elevator, and I tried to calm myself. Shortly, the doors glided open to reveal…
SURPRISE #3: All my children and grandkids were waiting with big, sneaky smiles. I was dumbfounded and elated. THE BEST GIFT! My heart was full!
My sister-in-law, Kim, was filming in the corner. WHAT? The plot thickened. My husband, Mr. Executive Director had lied, repeatedly. He led me toward a closed door where for a moment I expected only to see the little circle of our immediate family waiting.
SURPRISE #4: The door opened to a large room FULL of smiling family and friends singing, “Happy Birthday.” I froze in amazement, completely undone and overwhelmed. The only words I could utter were “liars, liars, liars.” A welcome sign greeted me, as well as a table of cards, gifts and individually wrapped cookies. My closest friends engulfed me at the front of the long room. I was sashed, crowned, given a new Stanley, full of water and lime, my signature drink.
I was in absolute shock!
Shock!
SHOCK!
I moved through the room in a daze– hugging and trying to greet everyone all at once. “What in the world?” It seemed like a thousand hearts of friend and family swallowed me. The love I felt was palpable. I had NO WORDS.
Many asked if I was mad at Kris because of my stunned reaction. NO. I was simply suspended in a surreal place in time. (Even now, a week later I am still processing. I am floating between unbelief and deepest gratitude.)
The tables lit up with everyone’s smiles and were adorned with the most beautiful, bountiful bouquets of my favorite flowers. Loved ones filled every corner! A buffet of deliciousness awaited the guests. And then as I turned the corner at the far end of the hall, still making my way from each loving face to the next…
SURPRISE #5: A PHOTO BOOTH! Kris had thought of everything and more. It was too much!!! When I thought the afternoon had offered all it could…
SURPRISE#6: A carefully curated playlist of all my favorite songs, as well as photos from most of my life filled the room. Memories of my 60 years flooded the small space between my two ears. My brain was near explosion. Then…
SURPRISE #7: My sons and husband stood before me. They delivered their gentle, kind, loving tributes. Sentiments that will stay with me for a lifetime. They spoke straight from their hearts into mine. I will never forget.
SURPRISE #8: In his speech, Kris shared how he, my closest friends and my mother-in-love joined forces to gather birthday card greetings from near and far of those who could not attend the party.
SURPRISE#9: Kris also told me that In lieu of gifts, he had asked our guests to donate to Now I lay Me Down To Sleep in memory of Eleanor Grace Crockett, my great niece, my birthday twin in heaven. What a precious gift honoring life, love, and loss, so delicately woven into the celebration
SURPRISE#10: The celebration did not end. Our immediate family and inner circle of friends gathered again at Parker and Caroline’s for an after party where we ate more birthday cake and kept laughing.
SURPRISE #11: After the surprise party on Sunday, an organic, unplanned, unscripted, very pleasant breakfast unfolded on our deck, with my besties before they left town.
SURPRISE #12: And finally…
EVERYTHING! EVERY DETAIL! Every card, every smile, every flower, every guest. Every donation. Every thoughtful gift. Every surprise. Every single act of love. Everything!
It was ALL the greatest gift! It was beautiful and unforgettable. I have never felt so celebrated, cherished, and loved. THANK YOU BIG TO ALL who had a part in Lala’s 60th: The Birthday of Extravagant Love!
I know! This post seems so self-indulgent, but it was so important for me to share with you the great love of my husband, family, and friends. I began the month feeling like a celebrity and ended the month feeling like a SUPER STAR. More importantly, I have never felt so celebrated, cherished, and loved in my entire life. I am finally moving from shock and being completely overwhelmed to the place of processing it all. The tears are flowing. Again, I really cannot thank my husband enough and ALL who played a part in Lala’s 60th: The Birthday of Extravagant Love
Final thoughts, my heart is still in overflow mode! You know what is just unfathomable to me? God ordained every detail of what I have written. It was in written in my book of life before I was ever born. God loves ME and YOU that much, and more than all these acts of love. He loves so BIG it is just hard to grasp. That is what all this celebration has showed me. He loves us all more and He is always up for a celebration made. Thought…Every day in heaven is someone’s birthday and know no one can throw a party like God. If you don’t know Jesus and your Lord and Savior, I would be happy to introduce you to LOVE because God is Love.
RUN THE CREDITS:
Executive Director: Storyteller, Writer and Party Planner Extraordinaire : Kris Phillips
Production Company and Film Financier: Kris Phillips and Family, Inc.
Executive Producer: Kris Phillips
Associate Producers : Kris Phillips, Brayden Phillips, Mary Claire Phillips, Parker Phillips, Caroline Phillips, Jack, Harper, Henry, Marie Poon, Bobbe Gillis, Kristi Stephens, Gina Suiter, and Pam Verma
Production Design: Kris Phillips
Lead Cast: Kris Phillips, family, and the greatest friends
Music Composers: Kris Phillips, Bobbe Gillis, and Pam Verma
Playlist Producer: Parker Phillips
Floral Designer: Mary Claire Phillips
Floral Designer: Assistant: Jack Phillips
Cookie Designer: Mary Claire Phillips
Floral and Cookie Design Support: Brayden Phillips
Pre and Post Cast Party: Parker, Caroline, and Harper Phillips
Director of Photography: Kris Phillips and Kim Rye
Assistant Photographers: Marie Poon and Carol Clark
Card Intake Coordinator: Patsy Phillips
Balloon Man: Brad Suiter
Jewelry Designer: Elliot Herzlich
Set/Food: Old Glory
Lodging: Double Tree by Hilton
Cake: Cakes by Linda
Props: Sonja Stewart/Lynne Haliburton
Film Title: Tammy Phillips
Complete in Him 