Happy ❤️ Day My Love!

The sound of a helicopter bearing down, what seems like inches, above.  It’s deafening. It’s thought provoking. It is a real sign of trauma. My mind immediately goes to a frequent thought...is that a new heart for friends still patiently waiting. I look into the sky and notice the majestic image of Saint Mary’s Hospital, lite from the glow of the setting sun, nestled just under the crescent moon. It’s so peaceful and beautiful in the midst of the same frame of the lowering helicopter. It is a great visual synopsis for where we are in our journey. As I sit alone at an outdoor table at one of our local favorite spots, I begin to reminisce on the incredible year we have lived. We have made it to one year! Tonight one year ago, we got the call; a call that would change the trajectory of our future. A perfect heart was ready to be transplanted in Mark. And honestly, without that call we believe life would have changed in a very different way very soon. Mark was tired. He was weary and we knew it. His original heart only had days left. God’s timing was perfect. The new heart started beating on its own once placed inside Mark’s chest. An absolute miracle.

The past 12 months we have seen some of our highest highs and lowest lows. Nothing can completely prepare one for the emotional journey. We survived!  We have made it through arguably the toughest year of our lives. Following five years of heart failure and declining health for Mark. We have fought for health, we have refocused our lives and we have been more grateful than ever for the normalcy of everyday family life. We have learned to not take anything for granted.

We have been through the fire and have made it to the one year anniversary of Mark’s new heart. July 23 will always be a day we celebrate!

So today we pause to thank God for new beginnings. For protecting us as the storms raged around us. For our family. For my husband and for the chance to have another year together.

Being back in the hospital at Mayo is fitting for our milestone day. This is the place God showed us our miracle and forever will hold a place in our hearts.  Yesterday, we had the chance to visit with Mark’s surgeon. He was visiting a current patient in the room next door. We saw him and invited him into Mark’s room. It was remarkable to hear him recap the details, in great clarity, of the surgery, off the cuff, from memory. It was heartwarming to see his big smile and for him to tell us seeing Mark looking so well was the highlight of his day. Seeing this man, God used to save Mark’s life, was the highlight of our day, too.

We are so grateful for all the blessings God has surrounded us with...our girls, our family, our friends in NC and MN, and a hope for a calmer future full of normal days.  Thank you to everyone for following our journey. Thank you for every prayer, kind word and ways you have been a blessing to our family.

And to my husband, my hero...I love you more than you can imagine. I am so grateful to be your wife. I am so proud of all you have achieved, despite the constant obstacles and curve balls thrown our way. I am grateful for your faith and to have you as my husband and daddy to our girls. Grow old with me, the best is yet to be.

“But those who wait and hope upon the LORD, will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

Praise be to God from whom all blessings flow!