3-Year-Old Boy Gets Sweet Birthday Surprise Thanks to Caring California Community

A three-year-old boy gets a sweet birthday surprise thanks to a caring California community. And for little Leo Davies of San Anselmo, the perfect day didn’t require balloons piled to the ceiling or an elaborate party or even superheroes. He simply wanted to watch people play basketball.

And that’s because Leo doesn't just like basketball. This kid is obsessed, or hoop-sessed. 

His parents said all you have to do is turn on a game, any basketball game, and Leo is captivated. They aren’t sure where his love for the game began or where it came from, and Leo doesn't have the words to explain it either. All anyone can say is that he was born for the game despite being sick. 

3-Year-Old Boy Dreams of a Basketball Birthday

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“Leo's first three years of life have largely been in the hospital, in surgeries, in therapies,” his mom, Cassie Davies, said.

Leo was born with a rare chromosome disorder and is missing genes that resulted in a cleft palate, developmental challenges, and multiple surgeries. While other toddlers were making friends on playgrounds, much of Leo's little life was unfolding inside hospital rooms.

He has only a few words, and it’s mostly Leo's smile that does the talking for him. So when Cassie began planning his third birthday, she didn't ask what kind of party a three-year-old should have. She asked what would make her boy happiest. And the answer came with a few nets and a ball. 

Mom Asks the Community to Help Make It Special

Cassie posted a request on Nextdoor asking if anyone would like to play a pickup game so Leo could sit courtside and watch. She figured it was worth a shot, and something beyond her wildest hope happened. 

Within 48 hours, her post had been viewed 32,000 times. And on Leo's birthday, strangers began arriving. More than 50 people eventually showed up, including the entire Tamalpais High School Hawks basketball team.

“Just knowing us doing something so little means so much for a kid like him,” team captain Henry Bennett said.

High School Basketball Team Joins the Celebration

The Hawks gave their newest little fan a signed basketball. Even the Golden State Valkyries heard about Leo and sent gifts, including a customized jersey bearing his name.

But the best gift wasn't wrapped.

As the players gathered around Leo and began singing “Happy Birthday,” the little boy who had so few words suddenly found three of them. “I love it,” Leo said. Oh, my heart.

Leo’s Three Words Make the Birthday Unforgettable

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Maybe that's what loving our neighbors can look like. Sometimes it isn't complicated. Sometimes it's noticing what would bring one little boy joy and showing up to shoot a few hoops because his childhood has already asked far too much of him.

Leo's mom wondered whether anyone would show up. Instead, an entire community did. And somewhere between the bouncing basketballs and a crowd of strangers becoming friends, a three-year-old boy found exactly the words everyone needed to hear.

“I love it.” I'd say that's nothing but net.

“Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth." 1 John 3:18

WATCH: 3-Year-Old Boy Gets Sweet Birthday Surprise Thanks to Caring California Community 

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h/t: CBS News

Featured Image Credit: YouTube/CBS Evening News

Heather Riggleman is a believer, wife, mom, author, social media consultant, and full-time writer. She lives in Minden, Nebraska with her kids, high school sweetheart, and three cats who are her entourage around the homestead. She is a former award-winning journalist with over 2,000 articles published. She is full of grace and grit, raw honesty, and truly believes tacos can solve just about any situation. You can find her on GodUpdates, iBelieve, Crosswalk, Hello Darling, Focus On The Family, and in Brio Magazine. Connect with her at www.HeatherRiggleman.com or on Facebook.