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I want to share a little background on how I came to make these bracelets and how my faith became stronger than ever.
On December 20, 2025, I was driving home after taking my son to work when I was involved in a two-car accident. By the grace of God, only my vehicle and one other were involved. The other driver was able to drive away, but my car was totaled.
We were on a four-lane highway separated by a median. I was in the far-right lane and wanted to move into the left lane. I checked my mirrors and saw another car a short distance behind me, but I believed I had enough time to safely merge. I turned on my signal, checked again, and began to move over. Suddenly, the other vehicle sped up, preventing me from merging. I tapped my brakes because I was approaching a truck in front of me.
At that moment, the other car and mine made contact - I hit their rear passenger side. Immediately, my car began to spin. As this was happening, I looked over my right shoulder, and to this day, I truly believe someone was in the back seat, wrapping their arms around me and holding me tight.
My vehicle spun across the highway into oncoming lanes and rolled over multiple times. It finally came to a stop on the driver's side after hitting a row of trees, facing the opposite direction of traffic.
I was unable to get out on my own. Thankfully, an EMT who witnessed the entire accident ran to my vehicle. She asked if I was okay and if anyone else was with me. She broke the passenger-side window, and with the help of several others, they got me out safely.
According to Life360, I was going 87 mph at the time of the crash - and I wasn't wearing a seatbelt. I walked to the ambulance with assistance, as they weren't sure how badly I was injured. The EMT later said I was in shock.
As I was being helped out, I called my wife to let her know I had been in an accident. She arrived quickly, as I was only about 15 minutes from home. At the hospital, I was evaluated and, incredibly, had no broken or fractured bones.
I took one day off work. When I returned, within about a week, I began experiencing pain in my shoulder and arm. After seeing a doctor and getting scans, I found out I had torn my rotator cuff, along with multiple muscles and tendons.
Insurance gave us a check, and we used it to get another car. We also had to take out an additional $5,000 loan and borrow $1,000 from a family member. Then, just a week later, I lost my job.
In the weeks that followed, everything felt like it was working against me. Bills were piling up, and the pressure kept building. Eventually, I reached a breaking point.
One day, I told my wife I was going for a ride. I kissed her and told her I loved her. I told my son I loved him too. I went to visit my grandfather, my mom, and my aunt's graves. After that, I drove to the river to sit and watch the water.
While I was there, something came over me. I felt like I was in a battle for my life - a battle between darkness and faith. There were moments when I felt pulled toward giving up, hearing thoughts telling me to just end it because I had nothing left. But each time, I felt something pull me back.
I stayed at the river for about two hours. During that time, I went through that battle over and over again. Four separate times, I felt myself being pulled back from that darkness.
Finally, I thought about my family. And in that moment, I felt God telling me, "Go home. Go home to your family. They're waiting for you. They need you."
So I went home.
I hugged my wife and cried harder than I ever have in my life. I sat down with my son and had one of the most honest, man-to-man conversations we've ever had. I also spoke with my wife about the ways I've hurt her, and how much she has stood by me through everything. She has put up with so much, and I finally understood that.
That day changed me.
It also gave me a deeper understanding of the depression that my son and others go through. I realized how real and overwhelming it can be.
Please, never feel ashamed to ask for help or to talk to someone. This idea that men have to "suck it up" and not show emotion is hurting men and families everywhere. We are taught to always be strong, but real strength is being honest and reaching out when you need it.
I promise you - your wife, your son, your daughter, or whoever loves you will not judge you. They would much rather hear your pain than lose you.