In 2015, Allyson Seel-Sorenson organized a party for her daughter Hallee's 18th birthday. Allyson planned a fun day of cake and bowling and sent out invitations to all of Hallee's classmates.
But when Hallee's aunt asked to see pictures from the party, Allyson only had one photo to send her — and it was the last image her aunt expected to see.
The photo showed Hallee sitting at a table in the bowling alley. She was eating her birthday cake and wearing a party hat.
And she was all alone. Not one single invitee showed up.
One year passed. As Hallee's 19th birthday approached, her cousin Rebecca posted the heartbreaking photo to Facebook and asked the online community a simple question.
Never in their wildest dreams did Hallee and her family expect what would happen next.
Hallee Sorenson turned 18 years old in 2015.
The teenager from Maine wanted to celebrate at the local bowling alley. She sent out invitations to her classmates. Her family bought cake, ice cream, balloons, and decorations.
Hallee was so excited for her big party.
Hallee sat at the bowling alley anxiously waiting for her friends to arrive.
But not one single guest showed up.
Hallee's mom, Allyson, snapped a photo of her daughter celebrating all alone, eating her birthday cake under her colorful balloons.
The heartbreaking photo went viral on Facebook with more than 200,000 shares.
People all over the world also learned Hallee is autistic, but she has never let that define her.
Her cousin, Rebecca, describes Hallee as "a beautiful young woman who will always have the mind of a child."
Though Hallee didn't fully comprehend what happened on her 18th birthday, she felt heartbroken, hurt, and beyond sad when no one came.
Hallee's cousin, Rebecca Lyn, wanted to make sure she never had a bad birthday again. So, she took to Facebook to ask the online community for a favor.
Rebecca asked to help make Hallee's 19th birthday by sending her cards and well wishes.
The simple request turned into a bona fide viral movement.
People from all across country flooded the Sorenson's mailbox with cards, gifts and messages of love and support.
"My favorites have been the drawings people have had their children draw for Hallee: the groups of drawings from entire classrooms sent in by teachers, and cards signed by every resident at nursing homes," Allyson told LittleThings.
"A woman knit an entire afghan for Hallee in her favorite colors (pink and purple) and two-day mailed it from California.
"She signed the note, 'From your adopted Grandma in California.'
"I can't pick a favorite, they're all so amazing. The cards from parents of kids like mine who just say, 'We're here, you're not alone,' they mean the world to me.'"
Allyson also told LittleThings that the experience has proved that people are inherently good and want to help.
"I've gotten letters and gifts for Hallee from Trump supporting groups, Hillary supporting groups… you name it," she adds.
"Politics don't matter when you see a child hurting. We all want to help."
Incredibly, the gifts kept coming in droves — to the point Hallee and her family are now on a first-name basis with their delivery men and postal workers!
Another family whose son had competed and won a bronze metal in the Special Olympics gifted Hallee with her own Special Olympics T-shirt and honorary gold medal.
Even police officers banded together to wish Hallee a happy birthday.
Allyson says Hallee "gets" the movement.
"Even though she functions at a much lower age than her chronological years, she sees her name on all of the cards and says, 'That's me! These are all Hallee… Oh, thank you, guys!'"
Now, tens of thousands of people are following Hallee's updates on Facebook.
There has been an amazing outpouring of kindness and love since her birthday story went viral.
Hallee's 18th birthday was terrible. But thanks to the kindness of strangers, her birthdays are now attached to feelings of love and warmth.
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