Becoming a Rose Runner

A lot of you have hopefully been able to learn about RoseRunners from facebook, instagram, and by word of mouth. It is such an amazing thing that we are now a part of! We hope you all get involved. Click here to learn more.

 The first official RoseRunners race was this past weekend in American Fork. Madeline and Rachelle (Taylor's older sister) had set a goal to do a half marathon together a while back, and with the passing of Madie in our car accident, Rachelle (I will call her Ro) decided to take that goal and (quite literally) run with it. RoseRunners is going to be a source for hope for a lot of people who are struggling, like Taylor, to pay outrageously high medical bills or, like all of us, are grieving from a loss and have no where to turn.

 The first fundraising campaign for RoseRunners is for Ro's younger brother Taylor, who happens to be the love of my life.

 When Ro first introduced the idea, we decided we would run together in the American Fork Half Marathon June 15th. Ro and I ran practically the entire race side by side, holding hands cross the finish line.

 Let me tell you about my future sister in law, Ro Ro.

 She is amazing. She is the type of woman that would never allow the word "mediocrity" to be in her vocabulary unless she were referring to something she would never be.

 And she's not.

Here is Ro and I

 Ro is inspiring, driven, powerful, and an incredibly kind and compassionate woman. I am so lucky to be able to be her sister in less than 6 weeks! Running with Ro was nothing short of awesome. I wouldn't dream of stopping, because I know that Ro would not let me give up.

 That is why Ro was Madie's hero. She was everything Madie aspired to be and Ro helped her become everything she was and continues to be. Now, Rachelle is the leader and head of the non profit organization in honor of her beautiful sister Madie. And we need all of your help to get this going and to be the source of hope we all know it will become. 

 The race was a blast. Emotionally and physically draining, but we did it and we did it with our heads held high. (Ro's head a little higher than mine as I struggled to keep up with that powerhouse of a woman). My best friend and Roomate, Cici,and one of Madie's friends Shannon ran with us wearing a #tayandbay shirt and I can't tell you how much it meant to have them with us. We did it for Madie and we did it for Taylor. It's amazing how much easier running is when there is a purpose behind it.

 Why should we do this for Taylor? 

 Because he is the absolute most inspiring individual I have ever met. 

He lost a lot on November 20th. He lost his younger sister whom he loved dearly, he lost his ability to move easily, the opportunity to do what he loved in performing with the Young Ambassadors for a time, and became 300+ thousand dollars in debt... and yet, with everything he has lost and what he knew had now had to face, he has not failed to smile, give, serve, and love with all he has. He healed, and continues to heal, quickly because he decided to. He performed with the Young Ambassadors in China only 6 months after having a near death experience and suffering major injury. He is a person of valor, courage, faith, and christlike love. I can't believe I get to spend forever with him. RoseRunners is helping Taylor get back on his feet.

 Taylor and I are thrilled to be a part of RoseRunners and we will continue to be a part of it, giving back and helping others just like we have been helped. Taylor plans on walking the 5k on July 24th while Ro and I tie up our laces yet again for the Pioneer Day Half in Salt Lake City. Join us, support the cause

 and be inspired.