• Article Photo. Friends and family members released dozens of lanterns in honor of Emma Redlinger's 15th birthday.
    Friends and family members released dozens of lanterns in honor of Emma Redlinger's 15th birthday.
  • Article Photo. 15th birthday: Emma Redlinger's friends and family honored her memory with lanterns Tuesday night.
    15th birthday: Emma Redlinger's friends and family honored her memory with lanterns Tuesday night.
  • Article Photo. Aimee Redlinger and Luke Erickson watch as the lanterns in honor of Emma rise into the night sky.
    Aimee Redlinger and Luke Erickson watch as the lanterns in honor of Emma rise into the night sky.

Dozens of lanterns, many smiles and more than a few tears filled Celebration Park at dusk Tuesday night as the friends and family of Emma Redlinger celebrated what would have been her 15th birthday. 

Cupcakes with two of Emma's favorite color schemes, blue and rainbow, filled a table next to photos of Emma doing her favorite things. Many wore their black t-shirts with the smiling cat from "Alice in Wonderland," one of Emma's favorite characters. 

The Chinese lanterns rise like hot air balloons when lit; nearly 75 of them, containing messages of love and birthday wishes, rose from the northeast corner of the park as the sky turned black. 

"It was a beautiful night and a beautiful tribute that Emma would've loved" says her mom, Aimee. "I, and the rest of her family, are so grateful for all of the love, support and prayers from everyone."

The family also thanked Zachary Freedom for offering to sing during the celebration. 

See more photos HERE.