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PHILADELPHIA (WTXF) - Ann Catania turned her Ten Pennies floral shop into a parade party room for the big event--inviting family and friends to share in a celebration 58 years in the making.
"It's probably one of the most exciting days of my life other than the fact of the day I married my husband," she told FOX 29.
"Jerry" passed away back in 2015 but Anna is certain he is up in heaven having traded his angel's wings for those of an Eagle.
Ten Pennies has been a fixture on South Broad Street since 1980. For more than 30 years, Ann has been creating floral arrangements for and making friends with Philly sports legends.
She's had a front row seat for championships seasons--Phillies and Sixers but this was different.
"This is an event. This is all I don't even know what word to use," she explained.
How about--amazing.
With crowds of families fans young and old cheering themselves hoarse the championship parade passed by Ann's shop. Double decker buses carrying the city's newest heroes.
Men whom Ann believes have done more for Philadelphia than simply capture a silver trophy.
"The Philadelphia Eagles gave us life. We were down in the dumps and they gave us something that we are going to cherish for the rest of our lives," she said.
After a more than half-century wait, the parade was over in a matter of minutes brief, but worth every precious moment. The calendar says February, but to Ann Catania, it feels like December.
"I felt just like that little kid on Christmas morning getting the doll that I waited for."