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On March 18, 2023, Mickey McCullough-Cruz’s life changed forever when he married Julia Roberson.
Above the couple hung Alisa’s angel as they exchanged their vows.
For Mickey, Alisa’s Angels was a community, not just a scholarship. Their union was a celebration of love and symbolized a ripple effect of positive change initiated by the Alisa’s Angels Foundation.
Seven years before his wedding day, Mickey received an Alisa’s Angel Scholarship in 2016. His academic pursuits culminated in his graduation from the University of Arizona in 2020, followed by a commission as a 2nd Lt in the United States Air Force. Today, he currently serves as the Installation Deployment Officer at Incirlik Air Base in Turkey.
Reflecting on the couple’s beginnings, Mickey shared, “Our apartment in Goldsboro marked humble beginnings for Julia and I. The only decor I had was the Alisa’s angel cross and that was placed at the entrance of my door so that I could thank God for entrusting me with the duties I have as an Officer while I lived by myself for a time.”
In preparation for the wedding, the couple actively sought ways to incorporate their values and faith into the celebration.
“The first thing that came to mind was my Alisa’s angel cross. It is one of a kind cross, there can be no other one made like it,” said Mickey. “Like Kirk, God is the carpenter in my marriage. Every stroke, every hand that has ever supported us. Every path that Julia and I have walked towards led us to that moment.”
"One decision of not being picked by Alisa's Angels could have set my life apart and led to a whole other direction, so I want to pay tribute to those who have loved me and supported me and my Lord Savior," shared Mickey.
Kirk Wallendorf, the father of Alisa and creator of the symbolic angels, reflected on their origin: “The angels were really what I started before I knew what I was gonna do with Alisa’s Angels [Foundation.] I started making these to honor Alisa.”
Kirk’s inspiration was to meld crosses with angels, creating a symbol that everyone can connect to, regardless of religious beliefs.
Passed on from person to person, they have traveled the world, connecting people through shared stories of sadness, happiness, celebration, and hope.
“There’s over 500 now, they’re all over the world. There are people that have them, and I have no idea who they are because people keep passing them on,” Kirk smiled.
As Mickey and Julia exchanged vows, they became part of the global Angel Family, weaving their story into the larger tapestry of positive change. The angel that hung above them was a thread in the intricate fabric of countless lives touched by Alisa’s Angels.
The ripple effect continues, passing on the legacy of empowerment, encouragement, and support to extraordinary young individuals around the world.