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One Year!!!!!

 September 7th, 2024 was the scariest and happiest day of our lives. It is hard to believe that one year has flown by since Mike received his new heart. Many scars, needle pricks, tests, machines, blood draws, medications, and doctor visits filled this past year. Those things are not the things that fill our memories though. Our memories are filled with love, laughter, friends, family, and adventures together. We are so blessed to have Mike and this amazing gift of life. To celebrate this weekend, I threw a suprise party for Mike. Mike had his suspicions, but I think we pulled off a good surprise to celebrate his one-year heart anniversary. Mike was super worried that whatever this get together would be, it would be during the big Lions/Packers game...no worries babe, I planned it for the day before!  

People often say it takes a village, and I truly believe that you all have been our village in one way or another. A core group people who have helped to support us through financial support, meals, childcare, emotional support, pulling weeds, fixing things around the house, visits, text messages, gifts to keep our kids busy, and an outpouring of prayer and love. 

We may not have seen some of you for the past year as we hunkered down to ensure Mike's healing and immune system shortage. But we have felt the love and support from each of you. I don't think we could ever say or show it enough, but thank you for being our village. 

Mike goes in September 9th for his one year checkup, right and left heart catheterization, and biopsy. He gets to ring the bell to signify one year of a healthy heart. After this visit he will have checkups every three months until the 3 year mark. After 3 years he will have checkups every 6 months. 

We are looking forward to reconnecting with friends and catching up on life in this next year. People often mark life: before kids and after kids...now our life will be marked: before and after Mike's new heart. Here is our prayer for this past year and going forward. 

Thank you, Lord, for this amazing group of people that surround us, they have made a hard year much easier, and we thank you for giving them the gifts for them to do so. As we celebrate Mike's life and the amazing gift of a new heart, we understand that there is a family somewhere that is grieving the loss of their loved one on this one-year anniversary. We pray that you comfort them and guide them as they navigate on through life without them. We pray that if we can meet them someday that we are able to share in the joy of their loved one's life and the continuation of Mike's. Bless the doctor's and nurse's hands that healed Mike's body and soul, bless the days ahead of us and bless the conversations that we have with the beautiful people around us. Amen. 

 



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