Tennessee mom and local car wash go viral over efforts to throw her 5-year-old the best birthday ever
Kate Cortelyou called around a dozen car wash facilities. None of them said “Yes.” After all, it was an unusual request: Host her five-year-old autistic son’s dream birthday party. It would mean either interrupting regular operations or staying open outside business hours. After so many attempts, though, a local small business named Washtopia in Hermitage, Tennessee, didn’t just agree: It went all out.
Car wash helps mom throw the best birthday ever
Cortelyou’s son, James, had a bit of a niche passion. “When he turned five, he had two requests,” she explained in a TikTok post. “A birthday party at a car wash and a very detailed car wash cake made by me.”
And that’s what he got, but not without incredible effort from mom…and Washtopia.
“They let us use their break room overlooking the car wash line.” The team also staged a large poster-sized hand-drawn sign wishing him a happy birthday, complete with bubbles and a cartoon car wearing a party hat.
Cortelyou was diagnosed neurodivergent herself at age 40, and used the party, which she threw seven years ago now, as a message to parents: “Leaning into special interests, even if we don’t understand them, is how we show our kids they’re understood.”
The comments blow up with childhood memories…and we’re all crying
“when I was turning 5 I lovef Giraffes and Hippos, and I got to sleep at the zoo next to the Hippos!! I got to see the zookeepers help the Hippos with their bedtime routine and I read them a story before bed. I’m 25 and I still think about it.”
“My sons 4th birthday party was “come as your favourite electrical appliance” He went as a tv, antenna and all. He loved it.”
“my son’s birthday is July 20th. he wants to see a puffer fish. there’s a puffer fish in a aquarium about 2 hours from us. we are going solely to see this puffer fish. worth it.”
“I have found my people. My daughter was a rutabaga for Halloween when she was 3.”
“One of my students was obsessed with vacuum cleaners. His Mom made him vacuum cleaner trading cards complete with stats.”
“I’m austistic. I’m 33 now. I still talk about a “watermelon party” my mother threw for me when I was 4. I’m balling my eyes out right now. Car washes RULE.”
Washtopia even showed up to comment, too: “We’re not usually on TikTok, but we had to respond after seeing all the love in the comments and reviews. That birthday was a special moment for us too—and one we still talk about to this day. We’re a local, small business, and we’re always looking for ways to connect with our community and spread a little joy where we can. Thanks to everyone who’s shared, commented, or sent kind words. It truly means the world to us.”
If you have young kids, folks, keep in mind that these years are fleeting, no matter how long the days feel. Our youngest starts Kindergarten this year (I know, crying while I’m typing), and I can’t wait for our next set of birthday parties…they’re gonna be good, whatever our elementary schoolers decide!
MotorBiscuit reached out to Kate Cortelyou via direct message on her TikTok account, @onethumbgarden, for comment.
