Woman grieving mom's loss finally gets closure as friends rent out her childhood home for her 50th b'day

Many struggle to revisit places where they were brought up due to painful memories associated with them. However, no matter the unfortunate circumstance, these forgotten homes are also filled with cherished childhood memories. A woman found herself in a similar situation when she had to let go of her mom’s house following her passing. But recently turned 50, Kristi Johnson—who goes by @kristidjohnson on TikTok—was surprised when she received an invite to her own birthday party. Her friends from school had rented out the same property, now listed on Airbnb, and decorated it in the most wholesome way. The video showed the birthday girl spending the best weekend of her life with her seventh-grade buddies.

While describing herself as a “lucky girl” in the caption, Johnson wrote, “I never dreamed I’d be back in my mom’s house again celebrating my 50th birthday.” The eventful weekend began with Johnson discovering the contrasting changes from how the property looked in 2021. The entrance, doors, windows, and even the paint had been renovated, giving her childhood home a slightly modern vibe. Notably, Johnson’s sister had been remodeling the property, and it was a sheer coincidence that construction was completed just in time for the occasion. It was the first time Johnson stepped into the house since her mother’s tragic passing due to cancer, as reported by Newsweek. 

“My friends had a secret text thread that I couldn’t see. They planned it all out, and every bit of it was a surprise. My mom specifically asked my friend Hillary to take care of me after she was gone, and she followed through,” she said, per the outlet. Her 50th birthday celebration was meticulously arranged by her pals. In addition to giving her a birthday tiara and filling the house with all their favorite childhood treats, they also had a friend from high school prepare a meal in the style of her mother’s cooking. “Hillary baked the cake just like my mom would have. Even my mom’s hospice nurse, whom I had grown so close with, stopped by. Every detail was thought out,” Johnson added. She admitted she experienced a whirlwind of emotions, as she had left her childhood home under heartbreaking circumstances. She had previously decided never to spend a single night there without her mother’s presence.

Describing the experience as “bittersweet,” she said, “I knew she was sad she’d miss our big milestone birthdays, but she was there in the middle of it all after all. Then, as I pulled away, I saw the red birds. She was there with us, cheering us on.” Meanwhile, the heartwarming video of her revisiting the house after four years struck a chord with many on the platform, garnering nearly 300k views. Among the countless reactions it received, @mrs.silv_ remarked, “You're very rich in friends. You're very fortunate. This was beautiful to watch.” @nora.chavarria3 echoed similar sentiments: “Wow, you are so blessed! That's beautiful! It brought tears to my eyes.”

You can follow Kristi Johnson (@kristidjohnson) on TikTok for more parenting and lifestyle content.