The 25th annual Bedford Builds Habitat for Humanity Ball was held Saturday night in Bell Buckle. 

Dressed in their finest, guests enjoyed a dinner from the Bell Buckle Café, a silent and live auction, as well as a little dancing. 

But the true “Cinderella moment” of the ball was when Kristin Faith Tomlin spoke about her story and the impact of Habitat for Humanity on her life personally. 

“I’ve actually really never shared my story with anybody because it’s emotional,” she said. 

Tomlin retold how she became pregnant while a freshman in high school. She was just 15 at the time and said she had “a long road ahead.” 

Though afraid to tell them at the time, Tomlin said, “I was very grateful for all the love my family had supported me in.”

Then, her daughter — a beautiful baby girl with blond hair and blue eyes — was born in 2013. Tomlin said she was still in high school, working part time at Burger King. 

In the meantime, her daughter’s father was in the process of following in his father’s footsteps and becoming a U.S. Marine, something he thought would be best for their family. 

Unexpected setback

But four years after her daughter’s 1st birthday, one of Tomlin’s worst nightmares came true. She woke up to the phone call that her fiancé, his best friend, and her brother were in a terrible accident. 

Tomlin’s fiancé and his friend died after being transported to the hospital. 

“My high school sweetheart — my little girl’s daddy — was taken away from us,” Tomlin said. “I wasn’t sure how I was going to do life without him, but I took it day-by-day. I pushed through it and finished high school.”

She said that was one of her proudest moments. 

She then got approved for two free years at Motlow Community College. However, after completing her first semester, she dropped out, saying she was struggling to make ends meet.

She was battling depression and discouragement -— until a good friend suggested she apply for a Habitat for Humanity home.

“I had absolutely no hope I was going to be chosen,” Tomlin remarked. 

Habitat steps in

Several months passed and Tomlin said her situation continued to escalate. But right as she was on the edge, she got a call for an interview with Habitat. 

She said she cried tears of happiness and relief for days and even months after getting accepted. Tomlin eventually received her home in 2017.  

“Habitat for Humanity didn’t just provide a stable, affordable home for me and my family. They also gave me hope…because of the stability provided by this home,” she said. 

Today, with a stable job, Tomlin has three daughters and lives happily in her own home.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, no matter how hard the situation is. I want to thank each and every one of you for coming here to support Habitat for Humanity,” she finished.