Chris & Cassie: A Journey That Takes Two: Thursday's Heroes

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.

Sunday, October 26, 2014

Thursday's Heroes - BYU football

October 22nd was a day that won't be forgotten soon. As not many people know, Cassandra was nominated by some family friends for the Thursday's Heroes program that is sponsored by the Mendenhall's and BYU football. The vision of the program is as follows: Thursday’s Heroes began in 2006 and is sponsored by The Holly & Bronco Mendenhall Foundation. The aim of the program was to provide support, encouragement, and in some cases,financial aid, to children & families that are facing significant life challenges.

We had waited and waited to see if she had been chosen for the program. Word came, probably a month ago, that she had indeed been selected and would be a Thursday Hero. We were all super excited. As many have seen on Facebook, the Kieffer, Holt and Lilly family joined together to celebrate this event.

Anyway, the actual day of was great. We gathered at the student athletic building on the BYU campus, were shown around the football lobby, the coaches' offices, and the playing fields. Because BYU was going up to Boise State, they were practicing on the astro turf in the indoor practice facility. After the practice, the team huddled up and then approached us like a massive army, Bronco with his arms outstretched. He gave Cassie a hug, introduced the team, and then Andrew Mikkelsen (#29 freshman kicker) and Craig Bills (#20 senior defensive back) gave her a bunch of gifts (T-shirts, jersey, hats, football, etc.) and a flag and football with player and coach signatures. Cassie also was able to sign the flag that the team carries with them to games, so she will always be represented at BYU football games no matter where it is. Pictures and additional video are pending. Below is the video that was presented to the team before practices, as read by Greg Wrubell the "Voice of the Cougars" (he has been calling play-by-play for the BYU Football team for many years).

All in all, it was a wonderful experience, with so much love and joy to be had. Thanks to all those who came physically (Cassie and Chris Holt; Cathy Holt; Troy, Amy and Ethan Lilly; and our cameraman Travis) and those in spirit.

P.S. There are some neat perks to being a Thursday's Heroes not mentioned: we get to go to a game, so we chose the "blackout" game against UNLV on November 15; we get to enjoy the pregame practice and meet the team again for pregame ceremonies. There is also an annual banquet for all heroes to return to and meet others. In short, Cassie will be a part of BYU forever.

Submitted by Christopher