Katie + Hollis’s Heartwarming Stone Crest Wedding // McKinney, TX
Stone Crest Venue in McKinney was where Katie and Hollis had one of the most beautiful and emotion filled weddings I have been a part of. There are certain people who radiate a sense of hope, you just can’t help but remember what is important in life. That is what everyone experienced at Stone Crest Venue.
Next month Hollis will be moving to Houston to begin treatment for his rare form of bone marrow cancer. This last year he as been one that no 24 year old expects to have. But with Katie by his side and faith in God, Hollis and Katie tied the knot in February and are beginning their marriage hopeful that his amazing team of doctors can find him a cure.
I know this is a wedding blog, but I think hearing from Katie and Hollis about their journey and faith would be encouraging to anyone reading. After posting their words, I will show some photos of their amazing wedding at Stone Crest Venue. You can feel the emotion and love in these photos. And I hope that when you see them, you will remember to pray for this couple. They have hard days ahead, and your prayers would be treasured by them!
From Katie & Hollis:
Over the past year, life has looked different for us. Although at times it has been tough, love is an understatement for how I have felt thanks to my powerful King Jesus and the support of my family and friends. If it weren’t for faith and hope I would not be writing to tell you about the overwhelming love and support system I have.
On December 6, 2018, I, Hollis Rogers, was diagnosed with Myelofibrosis. MF is a form of bone marrow cancer that causes the production of abnormal blood cells and scar tissue in the blood. It is rare; roughly 16 thousand people in the United States have been diagnosed with MF. It is a condition most commonly found in adults over the age of 50. Currently, at the age of 24, I am one of the youngest patients with this diagnosis; the only cure for this type of cancer is a bone marrow transplant. This day and diagnosis changed my life forever. After a year long journey of tests and scans, I shut down. I felt defeated. I did not understand why. I asked God.. Why Me? Why now?
Over the past 12 months my family, Katie, and I have been traveling to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston where I see an incredible team of doctors. After many long, hard discussions with their transplant teams, my family, doctors, and I have decided to move forward with my bone marrow transplant. I have been blessed to find three perfect match donors. On March 11, 2020 my parents, my soon to be wife- Katie, and I will move to Houston to begin testing and Chemotherapy in preparation for the transplant.
Many prayers have been prayed for continued guidance as we gain a further understanding of this journey. I am a firm believer, and I am fully confident that I serve a God who will never fail us and is the Great Physician. I learned a vital life lesson back in high school that has been with me everyday since – I may not know what my future holds, but I know who holds my future. God will be with me every step of this journey and that is the greatest gift of all. I know that God has been preparing my family and me for this journey. My family is my rock: Mom, Dad, Sister, and Fiance. They have been and will continue to be my biggest supporters. I am fortunate that my family will be able to stay with me in Houston and we will get to tackle this transplant together – I undoubtedly have the best team of caregivers by my side.
Our journey has felt long and at times uncertain and overwhelming, but at the end of the day, mine and Katie’s families sought God’s provision and guidance as we planned for the future. With the love and support team that I have, the amazing people I have been able to learn from, the future plans I have for a family, and the way I feel on a day-to-day basis, I believe that I am ready. Where I was once grieving and questioning God, I now look back and feel so thankful. I have been so blessed with amazing family, friends, and bosses; I trust that I am in the best place I can be. Katie and I have learned that although it has not been easy, God has made the best of what we saw as unfortunate circumstances. It all begins in gratitude – truly knowing where you are and what you have to be grateful for.
Katie and I cannot wait to celebrate with all of you on February 8th, but we ask that it not end there. We ask that you continue to pray for our families, our journey, my doctors, nurses, and donors as change comes in March. We are so thankful for the love, support, and encouragement that all of you have shown us, and we cannot thank you enough.
The bigger your battles the bigger your purpose.
No one fights alone.
Love, Hollis & Katie
