More than 50,000 moms and dads spread throughout the world are expected to serve banana splits for dinner over the next few days and thousands have already been devoured by happy kids. Parents aren’t putting these ice cream treats onto the table after their kids cleaned their plates of baked chicken and kale salad. Moms and dads are dishing up dessert first—with the intention of giving their kids a lifelong memory.

The dessert extravaganza is all tied to the tragic and inspirational story of Erik and Diane Roberts, parents of a 21-month-old son with Down syndrome and a heart defect. This month the Pittsburgh couple received news that no parents should have to face when doctors told them that nothing more can be done for Ryan. The Roberts made the difficult decision to issue a DNR—Do Not Resuscitate—order for him, according to MSNBC.

The gifts and flowers poured in. Friends asked how they could help. Their Facebook pages were overwhelmed with comments.

Diane posted a message on Facebook: “Go out and create a memory with your kid. Throw a banana split on the table for dinner,” Diane says. “Wouldn’t you remember having banana splits for dinner one night when you were a kid?”

Soon a friend created a Facebook page titled Ryan’s Banana Split Party. As of this post, 51,875 parents have signed on, pledging to feed their kids banana splits for dinner. Many parents are posting photos of their happy kids scooping ice cream, bananas and whipped creams into their mouths. Offices, summer camps, churches and schools are throwing banana split parties in Ryan’s honor.

Diane told MSNBC, “To see all those smiles and to see those kids diving into banana splits cracks me up.”

I’m so touched by this story and want to thank Diana for reminding parents to take a break from the daily routine—the homework, the violin practice and the swim meets—and do something unexpected that their kids will remember. Pick up your kid from school in the middle of the day and go to the movies. Jump into the pool with your clothes on. Have a banana split for dinner. You don’t have to do it once a week or even once a year, but if you do it once, just once, you’ll leave a lasting impression.

Source and inspiration: MSNBC