Teen with autism receives over 10,000 cards after photo of birthday alone goes viral

You may remember Hallee Sorenson, a teen with autism who spent her 18th birthday all by herself. Her cousin Rebecca Lyn posted a picture of Sorenson eating birthday cake alone at her party, which took place last July.

Here is Lyn's original post:

For her 18th birthday, Sorenson invited her whole class to her party. No one came. Lyn took to social media in hopes to help her cousin have a happier birthday this year when she turns 19.

Lyn described her cousin as "beautiful young woman-both inside and out. She lights up a room with her smile. Hallee is funny, sweet, caring, smart, an athlete, a jigsaw puzzle champion, a wonderful student, and a best friend to all."

SEE ALSO: Heartbreaking photo of autistic girl eating birthday cake alone

Lyn wrote in the post, "Below is the picture of her celebrating alone – eating her birthday cake. [She] will always have the mind of a child...so as you can imagine, she was heartbroken and beyond sad. But you can help make this years birthday incredible!! I would love to flood her mailbox with birthday cards, from all over! Hal loves getting mail- this would be the best birthday gift she could ask for."

The post quickly went viral, garnering more than 235,000 shares. Lyn's wish was more than granted: Sorenson received more than 10,000 birthday cards and gifts.

There has been so much mail, the postal service had to deliver it in crates and transport it by trucks. The gifts have come from all over the world -- like from a soldier in Afghanistan and from a NASA employee.

Sorenson's birthday falls on July 2, and we hope it's her best one yet.