There was plenty to celebrate at Brookdale Tullahoma last week as the resident Eleanor “Sue” Adrian celebrated her 103rd birthday.

Though her birthday was Sunday, Nov. 1, Brookdale Tullahoma hosted a birthday celebration for Adrian on Friday, Oct. 30, where she received well wishes and warm greetings from her fellow residents and Brookdale staff, before she was surprised when the members of her family stopped by to celebrate with her, which included four of her grandsons, Keegan Whitelaw, Reno Christino, Jonathan Chitwood and Blake Adrian; daughter Jami Adrian; and daughter-in-law Cathy Adrian.

Once everyone had gathered, Adrian was presented with two proclamations from Coffee County Mayor Dennis Hunta and Tullahoma Mayor Lynn Sebourn, dedicating Nov. 1 as Eleanor Adrian Day and wishing her a happy birthday.

In addition, Adrian also received a certificate from Brookdale Senior Living’s CEO Nick Stengle, who also wished her a happy birthday.

“This is such a special time for you, and it’s just as special for all of us as we get to celebrate this amazing occasion with you,” Stengle said in his letter to Adrina. “A century, and then some, of memories, stories, and wisdom. What a gift you are to everyone around you. You’re a true inspiration to us all.”

For Adrian, she said she was surprised that so many got together to celebrate this milestone with her. As for what she was looking forward to, she said to me the newest set of greatgrandchildren. Adrian has 14 grandchildren and eight greatgrandchildren in total.

Adrian is not a Tullahoma native, as she has been living in Brookdale since April, and she recalled moving to Kingsport, Tenn., with her husband in the 1960s due to his job. After some time, she and her husband, who passed away in 2015, lived in Murfreesboro for the last couple of years before she was moved to Brookdale this year.

“It feels good that I’m alive,” Adrian said. “Everybody’s been good to me. So, that’s probably kept me alive.”

As for if there was any advice she could give the younger generation, Adrian said to be kind to people, as they may be going through a lot at the moment that no one knows about, and the littlest thing said could hurt.

“Just be nice,” she said. “You can have all kinds of thoughts in your head, but you have to be nice.