Avid St. Louis Cardinals fan Jo Janis celebrated her 102nd birthday in a way Redbird fanatics only dream of, by rubbing elbows and hugging necks with members of the organization.
Janis, a Wayne County native, celebrated her birthday at Busch Stadium with family July 13. Catcher Yadier Molina, who just so happens to also share a birthday with one of his biggest fans, was also included in the once in a lifetime celebration.
"All she wanted for her birthday was to meet Yadi, but she knew she couldn't," Janis' aunt, Sandy Kirkpatrick, said.
Janis' daughter took to the power of social media to spread the word of her mother's milestone birthday, knowing she would enjoy receiving cards.
By July 13, Janis received 163 cards and a letter from President of the St. Louis Cardinals William DeWitt III.
Once the event hit Facebook, other surprises began happening as well. She received a banner and T-shirt someone designed for her, a baseball birthday cake and many more mementos.
A friend's husband, Jim Zechman, who works for KSDK visited with Janis for a segment which aired on Cardinal's Kids. Her story was also passed on to the news department at the organization for a morning segment by reporter Brandon Merano.
Merano created #HelpJoMeetYadi that went viral online proving thousands wanted Janis to meet her favorite Cardinal.
The birthday celebration evening arrived at Cardinal Nation for Janis. It began with a tour of the field, secured by her grandson.
After the field tour, she was escorted to the Cardinal's Club House where she met former Cardinal and announcer Mike Shannon along the way, who offered his congratulations.
Inside the club house, Janis and her family were video taped, photographed and autographs were signed.
Janis was asked what she would do if she were able to meet Molina.
"I'd hug his neck," Janis told everyone.
Her birthday wish became reality when Molina walked into the club house. Janis not only got to hug his neck, but she also kissed his cheek.
Janis had a birthday card for the Cardinal catcher and was able to present it to him herself.
Kirkpatrick said her aunt has sent a birthday card to Molina each year, but assuming for security reasons, he never received one until Janis was able to hand-deliver the card.
"They spoke about their birthdays being on the same day, only 66 years apart," Kirkpatrick said.
While the visit was short, it was a real thrill for Janis who described Molina as "gracious and friendly."
Before returning to her seat to root for the home team, Janis was interviewed for the nightly KSDK news.
She would later be joined by Todd Thomas, who introduced the birthday girl on the jumbotron followed by over 30,000 Cardinal fans singing "Happy Birthday" to her.
Janis has celebrated 102 birthdays, but this was one she will never forget, family say.
Janis attended Greenville High School and graduated in 1937. She is the oldest surviving alumni of the institution.
She married Harold E. Janis, also a Wayne County native in 1939, a union which lasted 63 years.
The couple made their home in St. Louis until their retirement, at which time they moved back to Greenville for several years.
Janis now lives with her daughter in the St. Louis area.
Kirkpatrick reports her aunt is in good health and attends church and family gatherings. She enjoys reading, working puzzles and especially watching Cardinals baseball.