Tyson Hugh Hooper

Tyson Hugh Hooper
Our son, Tyson Hugh Hooper, was born with coarctation of the aorta, hypoplastic arch, and a transitional avsd. His first open heart surgery reconstructed his aorta and was on day 9 of life. His second open heart repair was not anticipated to be needed until two or three years of age. Ty had other plans. We spent the vast majority of his first 3 months of life at Vanderbilt as he went into heart failure and was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension. As a result, the medical team concluded that he needed the repair much sooner than usually recommended, and at just shy of 3 months old Ty underwent his second life saving open heart surgery. God has already worked so many miracles in Ty's life and the life of our family and we know he is using our story. Because of this, we are grateful for Ty's special heart and feel beyond blessed that God chose us to travel this road. We ask for prayers as Ty continues to heal. We are praying for a full recovery and life without restrictions for Ty. We are praying for God to use our family and Ty for His glory.

Thank you to each and every person who supports us through prayer, giving, or just by loving on our family! We are humbled and blessed by all of the ways the Lord is providing for us and know that he is using Ty and his story to do great things!

Monday, August 24, 2009

How it all began...

As promised, I am going to post the story my guy. So, here is part one.




Stage: Beginning

Time: 2004-2005

Setting: Central Middle School




In the spring of 2004 I began my student teaching at CMS. I enjoyed my experience there so much and had fun meeting many wonderful people who are some of my nearest and dearest friends today. Among them, Chris. He was, at the time, Mr. Hooper the science teacher. It's funny... all those years ago, Lauren asked me after my first week here, "Are there any really hot teachers?" And I told her, "One, his name is Chris, but he is married." :-) As I student taught he was just the "cool" guy that everyone liked and I was, of course, drawn to that, but in a respectful teachery way.



In the fall of 2004 I was hired to teach at CMS down the hall from Chris in a different mini school. As the school year progressed we got to know each other better. I loved his sense of humor and I noticed that anyone who was around him was smiling, laughing, and having fun. As a new teacher, just trying to survive, I thought how cool it would be to be in his circle of friends because they seemed so close and invovled, but also so open and accepting.






As the year passed, Chris and I got to know each other as friends and before long, I was a part of his circle of friends. I even got to meet his wife and attempt a friendship. Chris and I knew each other as colleagues and as casual friends. When the year drew to a close, we learned of a reorganization of mini schools and me, along with two other teachers that were on my team, requested that Chris be moved to our mini school so that we could all teach together.




2005-2006


At the start of the 2005-2006 year, my team got our wish! Chis was not only in our mini school, but he and I had adjoining classrooms! It was such a fun year! I learned how similar we were. We had so much in common and I felt like I had known him all my life... like our souls were old friends. We settled into a very close and very comfortable friendship that year and our cirlce of friends began to spend time together outside of work. I began attending our "Liquid In-Service" at the local mexican restaurant every Friday after school, going to poker night, and enjoying all kinds of activities with my new group of friends!


Throughout that school year, and as I got to know Chris better, I eventually learned of his troubled relationship and separation from his wife. They had struggled for years to force a relationship born of crisis and obligation to work and had finally reached the breaking point. I spent countless hours talking with Chris, listening, praying with him, and encouraging him. I never would have guessed where those times would lead. I look back now, however, and realize that those times laid a spiritual foundation and trust for us to build upon.



That year Chris transitioned from "Mr. Hooper the Science Teacher" to "my best friend, Chris."

6 comments:

Amanda Ledford said...

That is an AWESOME story!!!!! Thanks for sharing! Hope you are having a good school year!

Megan L Hutchings said...

I love this post b/c it is obviously about two of my FAVORITE people :)!

I just wanted it to keep going...

Sarah said...

Glad your sharing, because I just know the outline of the story, no details. Regardless of what you share or don't though, I love you both and am so glad you found each other. You make a very fun couple and seem to fit together nicely.

Lauren said...

WHY THE CRAP DID YOU STOP THE STORY THERE????

Leigh Ann said...

So sweet! I am so happy for you two. You make THE cutest couple. Can't wait to read Part II! =)

Betsy said...

Yay!! I am so glad you are telling this story. I have been wanting to hear all about it!! Looking forward to the next chapter! :)