Stephanie Pedersen: Best birthday present I've ever given

I have one person on my birthday/Christmas list I always struggle to figure out what to buy for.

She spends her free time piddling around in the five acres of land she owns in Smiths Station. Or at least to me, it looks like piddling. But I know those trees, bushes and flowers wouldn't be as beautiful if she wasn't spending time doing whatever it is she does with them.

Her other free time usually is spent helping take care of all of her grandchildren. Now, that is a full-time job in addition to her real full-time job as a nurse.

So every year I struggle with what to buy my mom for her early December birthday and, of course, Christmas. She usually asks for gift cards or a plant or "whatever, don't spend a lot."

This year I knew exactly what I wanted to give her for her birthday.

When the Springer Opera House announced their 2015-16 schedule, I circled "Beauty and the Beast" and knew it would be the perfect opportunity. I wanted to introduce my daughter to theater and also wanted to go back to a place my mother introduced me to many years ago.

It was the perfect night.

We started (way too early) at MaBella's Italian Steakhouse. My daughter loves spaghetti, and I love anything that has carbohydrates. So it was a slam dunk.

Because I made our reservations too early, we had some time to spend between dinner and the show. After dropping the leftovers back in the car, we looked at the decorated trees in the median. We stopped in Broadway Estate Jewelry, where my daughter fell in love with a shell necklace and a fur coat.

She's just like me when I was 6, my mom said.

Because we still had some time, we dropped in Iron Bank for a coffee for me and a cinnamon roll that my daughter so graciously shared with both of us.

It was time for the show soon after that. My daughter's eyes lit up from the beautiful decorations. I could tell my mom was just letting it soak in, likely having flashbacks of our trips.

The show was beautiful. The actors were amazing. My daughter was on the edge of her seat for the majority of it, except the wolves scene. She wasn't a fan of the red eyes. She was a fan of Belle, who she said looked just like the movie and has an outstanding voice.

My mom asked me if I remembered some of the shows she would take us to when I was younger. I don't remember much, but I do remember my time spent in the Springer Theatre Academy.

She was putting my dramatic side to good use, she would say.

I'm certain my daughter fell in love with the stage that night. She's already begged to go back with her brother, who is seeing the same show today as part of a field trip.

But I know I owe that to my mother, who kept me busy with theater, voice and piano lessons until I gave it all up to play high school basketball.

It was the best present I've given, I think, because it wasn't an item. It was a night spent with family that I won't forget.

Just don't ask me what I'm getting her for Christmas. I haven't figured that one out yet.

Stephanie Pedersen, senior editor, spedersen@ledger-enquirer.com.

This story was originally published December 16, 2015 at 4:55 PM with the headline "Stephanie Pedersen: Best birthday present I've ever given ."