Known for being creative and expressive, Lydia enjoys a wide array of activities. She’s on the high school dance team and takes dance classes independently. Lydia directed and starred in two plays that she wrote herself!  Additionally, she sings in the choir and writes for the school paper.

“I live a normal teenage life,” she said.

Diagnosed with congenital heart disease before she was born, she underwent her first surgery at just two days old. The operation took eight hours and is said to be one of the most difficult medical procedures that the surgeons do. There was another surgery twelve weeks later, and a third when she was five that completely rewired her circulatory system. It took two months to recover from that one. After that, she had a stent put in.

Lydia needs to undergo regular testing to ensure that her heart is functioning properly. Although she’s been through a lot, she’s remained positive, and her health crisis has in many ways strengthened her and her family.  

“Due to the grace of God and the brilliance of Stanford surgeons, I am now able to live the normal life that I live today for which I am extremely grateful.”

Her ordeal meant that she was eligible for a wish, and she knew right away that she wanted a tropical getaway that would allow her to experience new things.

“When I found out I was getting a wish, words cannot convey the joy and excitement that I felt. After all that I had been through, this unexpected gift was a huge blessing to me.”

Lydia wanted a girls' trip and went to Hawaii with her aunt and her mother. Even her trip to the airport felt special.

“Before I even got on the plane, people came up to us and gave us high-fives and shared their personal stories of wish trips that they got to go on. It was so cool to share an experience with a total stranger because they recognized our Make-A-Wish®  shirts.

On her flights, she was treated with complete kindness by the pilots, crew, and other passengers. Lydia has over 100 hand-written cards on her desk at home that came from the other passengers on her flights.

“Once we landed in Hawaii, there wasn’t a second that we weren’t impressed,” she said.

A man greeted her at the airport with leis. She saw dolphins from her hotel room. “I learned how to surf, snorkeled off a catamaran boat, hiked up beautiful waterfalls, and swam in the warmest oceans that I’ve ever been in,” she said.

“However, the most meaningful gift the wish gave me was the chance to feel like a kid again. Aside from all the hospital visits, doctor appointments, blood draws, and fear of the future, I was truly able to let go and lean into the present moment.”

 “We are beyond ecstatic and in awe. We all enjoyed a sunset swim. My girl is truly in heaven. Thank you,” her mom wrote.  

After her wish, Lydia created a club at school called Hearts For Hope, and like Make-A-Wish Idaho, it aspires to bring hope and joy to kids struggling with medical conditions.