Coronavirus Can't Stop Boy's 'Double Digit' Drive By Birthday Fun

CUTCHOGUE, NY —Sean Tirelli, like most little boys, looked forward for months to the day when he would turn 10 years old — the day he would finally reach "double digits." But when the coronavirus pandemic threatened to put an end to his birthday plans, his loving family and the North Fork community came together to make sure Sean's birthday was one he'd remember forever.

As April 23 approached, Sean's mom Sara, of Cutchogue, was worried about how she'd be able to make her son's birthday dreams come true.

"As a mother, you picture in your head how you’re going to celebrate your son's first 'double digit' birthday for weeks. What theme, cupcakes or cake, the guest list for the party, booking a fun place or a big celebration at the house to see your child enjoy their day," she said. "Well, then a world pandemic happens — social distancing, isolation, masks, uncertainty — so let’s just say plans changed!"

To be honest, she said, all Sean wanted was to play baseball with a small group of friends for his birthday.

"To have to tell him that wasn’t possible this year was heartbreaking," she said.

But rather than let her son be disappointed, Sara said, "you get creative and overcome — and do anything you can to make his day extra special, regardless of the new situation we all may be in at this very moment."

And so, the determined mom got busy making plans: Her son, she decided, would wake up with a bedroom full of balloons, his favorite dinner of bacon wrapped meatloaf with waffle fries, homemade birthday cards from his little sister Hanna, and movie night with leftover Halloween candy, just as though "we were right at Mattituck Cinema. And, hey! Why not a birthday parade?"

Sara said Sean's dad Vinny Tirelli of Mattituck put a quick group text together and an email out to his Boy Scout den. "And bam! Everyone was all about it!" she said.

His family told Sean that his dad was going to drop off his present around 3:45 p.m.

"We headed out to the yard around 2 p.m. to have a social distancing visit from my brother's family, Rob and Erin Dickerson of Cutchogue, so Sean could see his cousins, Haylie, 13, and Corey and Casey, 11, and have them wish him a 'Happy Birthday,'" she said.

Next, they left to go line up on Leslie Rd. to meet the other 20-plus cars that were ready to start the parade, Sara said.

Family and friends, including his grandfather Vin and Kristin Tirelli, honked their horns, held up signs and shouted joyful birthday greetings.

Southold Town Police Officer Brian McNamara, Sara said, "helped lead the amazing collaboration of Sean’s friends and family over to the house. As we were outside kicking a soccer ball Sean turned and said, 'Ma, someone is getting pulled over!' With that, they turned down our road and his face lit up like a Christmas tree! I said, 'Surprise, buddy, this is all for you!' He was absolutely blown away! Speechless. Grateful. Joyous. Appreciative. Astonished. Beaming from ear to ear!"

(Courtesy of Sean Tirelli's family)

The day was one that will be forever special, Sara said. "The honking, the music blast, the outpouring of love and 'Happy Birthdays' coming at him, it brought tears to my eyes. As a mom all you want is to have your children know they are loved — and with the endless separation the last six weeks from friends and family, it makes that challenging. But, by goodness, he felt that yesterday. And we have so many people to thank for that."

Sara, 35, said she has lived her entire on the same road on the North Fork and has "fought to stay here because of the amazing community that surrounds us. We are the epitome of what loving thy neighbor looks like. I’m truly blessed to be a part of that and now raise my children here, knowing what that feels and looks like."

Sara thanked Ivy League Florist in Southold for the balloon delivery, neighbor Rich Jernick for reaching out to McNamara, and the Southold Police Department, who turned out in force to make the Sean's day special.

"It was such a spectacular event that my son will remember forever," Sara said. "And he was blown away that it was just for him."