This week, my nephew turned 10 years old. That's a big step and a big number when you're a kid. Of course, we had planned a birthday party for him but with things being as they are right now, we had to cancel it unfortunately. I don't have kids but I like to think I'm pretty good in my role as an aunty, I teach my nephews all about the important things in life, you know which hockey team to root for, how to play video games, hockey, baseball all the essentials... From Cedric's birth through to today, he was raised a Habs fan. He got his first Habs gear when he was days old, his first jersey at the ripe old age of 1 and he's watched numerous games with me. A couple of years ago, I won a contest which gave me 4 tickets in a box for the last game of the season. Of course I took Cedric to his first game in Montreal, how could I not? If you're going to initiate a kid, might as well do it in grand fashion right? So I brought him and my folks because they really wanted to see him experience that so I wasn't going to refuse. Since that day, he's become an even bigger fan...

Growing up a Habs fan! This lil man has had his birthday party cancelled today but the @CanadiensMTL stepped up big time for him :) #gohabsgo so grateful pic.twitter.com/Roc0PXcibB

— Karine Hains (@Pheebs888) March 21, 2020

Last night, I was thinking of how I could cheer him up since his birthday party had to be cancelled and I thought I'd reach out to the Habs, I mean what's the worst that could have happened? They could just ignore me or they could step up... So I sent them a tweet:

Hey @CanadiensMTL this now 10 year old fan has had his bday party cancelled tomorrow because of Covid-19, anything you can do to cheer him up please? pic.twitter.com/XRJIiSVmvu

— Karine Hains (@Pheebs888) March 20, 2020

It only took a couple of hours for them to rise up to the challenge and reply with this:

How about a bday gift from his favorite team to ring in the big 1️⃣-0️⃣. Who’s his favorite player?

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) March 21, 2020

I told them his favourite player was Brendan Gallagher and I thought that he'd get something by the post some time in the future but they decided to up the ante a little bit. When I woke up this morning, there was a special message for Cedric from one Brendan Gallagher:

Best. Birthday. Ever. 🥳 pic.twitter.com/PZIkoqsjar

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) March 21, 2020

They also messaged me and said they'd be sending him a present this week. I have no idea what the present will be but just getting that personalized birthday message from his favourite player sur put a big smile on his face! And to make things even better, I received another message asking from his phone number. Turns out that Michel Lacroix, the voice of the Habs, will give him a call today to wish him a happy birthday. So, there may not be any hockey on but let it be known that the Montreal Canadiens are still there for their fans and considering the situation, that means a lot.

He's been a fan forever: https://t.co/2P9SBBWD1J #GoHabsGo

— Karine Hains (@Pheebs888) March 21, 2020

So there you have it, a nice story to brighten your day during these dark times. Thanks to the Montreal Canadiens and to Brendan Gallagher for making my nephew's birthday special even though he didn't get his party!

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