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My 3-year-old’s birthday party was cancelled due to COVID-19. Then Denny Hamlin, first responders, and Caps fans came to the rescue.

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I’ve been looking forward to March 20, 2020, over the last few months because it’s my son Ethan Wesley’s third birthday. Ethan’s started to have a better understanding of the world and that has made everything more fun recently. So we planned to throw him a big racecar and trucks themed birthday party this weekend to celebrate because those are his favorite things in the world.

“I can’t wait!! My… birf-day. I three!” he said when I reminded him the big day was approaching before bedtime last night. “PRESENTS. ME!” (We’re learning on being less selfish.)

Unfortunately, we had to cancel Ethan’s big birthday party a few weeks ago due to the COVID-19 outbreak. And we couldn’t attend the Capitals game on Friday, which we had gotten tickets for, to see Ethan’s namesake, Caps PA announcer Wes Johnson.

Despite these setbacks, we’ve tried our best to make things as normal as possible for Ethan while still practicing social distancing as the CDC recommends. We also got some incredible help from two of the most popular NASCAR drivers in the world, Denny Hamlin and Matt DiBenedetto, as well as first responders and Capitals fans to make Ethan’s third birthday very special.

Thursday night, Ashley, my wife, and I drove to my parent’s house (they are Ethan’s main babysitters) to open presents. Ethan is very close to Pap Pap and Ma. Both of my parents are almost 70-years-old now and my mother has had health problems due to Factor V Leiden – a rare genetic, blood-clotting disease. We decided to stay separated by my parents’ glass door to stay safe.

On Friday morning, my brother Brandon and his wife Michelle came over to my house to give Ethan some gifts of their own. Ethan opened them in front of our window so they could see. They gave Ethan a Buzzy Lightyear suit and Mickey Mouse ears.

While these two birthday visits were sweet and softened the blow of having to cancel everything, I’ve felt heartbroken that I’ve had to pull Ethan away from getting to his loved ones, who are already isolated away from him, because he wants to give them hugs.

Ethan’s not old enough to understand what the coronavirus pandemic is and how much our country is struggling right now. He also isn’t old enough to know what social distancing is or how to apply it. What he is old enough to understand is racecars, firetrucks, police cars, and “truckens” (trucks). He’s also old enough to have a basic understanding of love.

So on Thursday, I sent out a tweet asking if my followers on Twitter could send or record Ethan a Happy Birthday message.

I only expected a dozen RMNB readers, who follow our Capitals coverage religiously, to respond. Instead, we were overwhelmed with hundreds of kind messages. Ethan even got a “Happy Birthday” from NASCAR driver and three-time Daytona 500 winner (he won it this year on the final lap), Denny Hamlin. Hamlin drives for former Redskins coach Joe Gibbs.

“Hey, Ethan. Just wanted to say happy birthday,” Hamlin said. “Sorry your birthday party got cancelled, but hope you’re having a good time at home with your parents. Listen to everything that they say. So. Happy birthday and we’ll see you on the racetrack soon!”

Ethan’s taken to Hamlin, who’s sponsored by FedEx, because he and Pap Pap would sit by the living-room window most afternoons waiting for the “mailman” to arrive. When we watched our first NASCAR race together last year, Ethan screamed “MEE-MAN!… GO!” His favorite color is now purple.

Last summer we went to the Bristol night race in Nashville, TN – our first NASCAR race as a family. Hamlin ended up winning.

Ethan was so excited when I showed him Denny’s message. It was shocking. He asked us to send this video back.

The driver who finished second in that Bristol race, the wildly popular Matt DiBenedetto, sent Ethan a message, too. DiBenedetto drives for the Wood Brothers and sits ninth in points so far this season.

“Hey Ethan, it’s Matt DiBenedetto. Driver of the number 21 race car. I heard it’s your third birthday and you’re turning 3 and wanted to wish you a very happy birthday. I heard you’re a big fan of Denny Hamlin. Good one to pull for. Pull for us too, 21 car, and of course, our dog Brian. Happy birthday.”

Ethan has actually met Uncle Matt before when he was one-year-old at Ryan Ellis’s North Carolina wedding.

There were other incredible tweets. Station 23 in Rockville, MD wished Ethan Happy Birthday.

So did Tyrone Collington Sr. of the Bladensburg Police Department in MD.

Meredith V. from NBC Sports Washington shared this video of Ovi in a fire truck.

Keelan Moxley — yes, that Keelan Moxley — recorded a message.

RMNB’s Rachel Cohen made this incredible illustration. Ethan’s love elephants because their names start with e just like his!

RMNB’s Elyse Bailey sent this over.

Rebecca, of One More Page Books, shot this. We planned the Steve Dangle book signing together and is an amazing person.

Cameron, who I met at the Dangle book signing, sent us this!

Sonora, this is so nice!

Here’s a sampling of the rest. You can see the full thread here.

It’s all so sweet.

Thanks to everyone who took the time to make Ethan happy today. This whole social experiment reminded me that people are still indeed out there and their hearts are just as full as they’ve always been. We will get through this pandemic together. This article is an example of who we are: compassionate, loving people who pick others up when they’re down.

P.S. – Ethan, if you ever read this back when you’re older, I just want you to know how much I love you. You’re truly the best thing that’s ever happened to me. Thank you for being even more of a joy than I could have even imagined. You’re happy, fun, creative, inquisitive, and funny. I know there is so much looking forward for you in the future. <3 Daddy

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