I’ve already shared how much I value my opportunities to advocate with the National Down Syndrome Society but it’s worth repeating. The resources they’ve provided our family and hundreds of others throughout the years in our journey with Down syndrome are so priceless. I love the modern approach they’ve taken with advocacy — understanding you have to appeal to people in different ways to be heard in a noisy world.

I’ve also shared how much I love their C21 (in honor of the third copy of the 21st chromosome found in people with Down syndrome) dining events. These pop-up restaurants have already taken place in New York, Atlanta, Dallas, New Orleans (one of my favs) and now Washington, DC twice.

The most recent DC C21 event was flawless and impactful. The element of surprise may be gone but you cannot take away the impact of seeing individuals with special needs working hard to ask people to open their eyes and change the world. It’s just huge.

It’s not easy to act as host and hostess, waiters, bartenders and chefs on a busy night in a space that isn’t typically a restaurant venue. But I suppose it’s also not easy to fight daily to prove to people what you’re capable in this world.

This event was filled with some of DC’s most elite and powerful people, but my favorite moments are always watching proud parents and siblings watching their loved one. It’s so, so beautiful.

Here are some peeks into the most amazing restaurant staff you’ll ever experience.