Our Story
September 15 was never a day we gave any special attention to—until 2020. It is now a date permanently etched into our memory, woven into the very fabric of who we are. Around 3 p.m. that afternoon, we received a call that stopped our world on a dime and shattered not only our hearts, but our very soul. It was the day our 15‑year‑old son, Carter, took his own life.
Carter was not your typical teenager. He was outgoing, laid back, intelligent, motivated, and kind‑hearted. He knew who he was and carried a quiet confidence that didn’t waver based on what others thought. His faith grounded him. And more often than not, he wore an infectious smile that made people feel seen and welcomed.
We had no signs that he was contemplating taking his own life. That absence of warning made his death even harder to comprehend and left us with more questions than answers. The shock, the disbelief, the guilt—those layers of grief are something no parent should ever have to experience. Losing a child is devastating. Losing a child to suicide adds a depth of trauma that is indescribable.
In the midst of our heartbreak, we were held up by an incredible support system—family, friends, and our church community—who surrounded us with love and presence when we could barely stand on our own. Their willingness to sit with us in the darkest moments helped us survive what felt unsurvivable.
Having walked this unimaginable road ourselves, we felt called to be that same kind of support for other parents who have lost a child to suicide. We know the isolation, the guilt, the questions, and the ache that never fully goes away. Carter’s Ride was born from that place—a desire to give grieving parents a safe space to speak their truth, to process the unthinkable, and to not walk alone.
We meet families where they are—often in their homes, often within hours or days of their loss—offering compassion, understanding, and the presence of someone who truly knows this pain. Our mission is simple: to walk alongside parents during the darkest time of their lives, to honor their child, and to help them find their footing again, one breath at a time.
