Chris & Cassie: A Journey That Takes Two: To Feel Normal & Be Better

Our Story

It all started in a seminary class in high school, with a "mop-headed boy" and a dancer/singer who sat behind him. As only friends in high school, and then reuniting after Christopher's mission, we were married in the LDS temple in Manti, Utah, and have now been married for over 7 years.

On January 16, 2013, Cassie was diagnosed with a stroke. As a result, many of our dreams and goals were delayed. But we were not to be deterred. Chris graduated in 2014 and currently works at Imagine Learning, and Cassie graduated in 2016 and now volunteers at the hospital while maintaining the apartment.

As we now commence on our journey to adopt, please spread the word! Comments are welcome as expressions of love and support. Most important is the faith and prayers offered in our behalf. So we invite you to share in our journey, as we look back in time to the beginning of the emergency and then update you to the joys and trials we face together. This is our story.

Friday, May 17, 2013

To Feel Normal & Be Better – April 15, 2013

Such a beautiful girl (and smile), holding a nice
chunk of birthday brownie

She cried when she went outside because she is not able to do things a normal person might: gardening, picnics, swimming, etc. Feeling the breeze and the rays of the sun was a good feeling. In order to use the new tools she received for her birthday, she wants to be able to use her hand and leg to shower by herself and dry herself. She talked about putting her pride aside to reach out to others for help as she continues to heal and recover. She was also distraught because she has an ingrown toenail and she cannot take care of it by herself.

"Escaping" therapy by making brownies!

We were able to celebrate her birthday this past week. Her birthday is April 11, and it sure was a week-long attraction! She spent time with me and I made her dinner. Then on Saturday it was a celebration at my family's and the following day a celebration at her family's.

She is quite loved and appreciated. She is a light in our lives and I know that she doesn't feel normal, and so I am positive that having this birthday was among one of the events that could be classified as "normal." She received some nice gifts, but ultimately to her and to myself, it is the joy of being surrounded by family, to feel the warmth of love permeate the room.