GASTONIA, N.C. — What started as a typical night for Hope Diaz and her husband Luis Diaz ended in a storm that changed everything.
"When I heard the boom the whole house shook," said Luis Diaz.
"The roof came down and I started screaming," said Hope Diaz. "If it had come down any further it would have come down on me."
"If either of us were in the bathroom we would be dead," said Luis Diaz.
A tree leaves behind a hole in their home and in their hearts; they lost nearly a decade of memories because of it.
"I lost my childhood copy of a book and the tea set that my great-aunt gave me," said Hope Diaz.
The family said this weekend was supposed to be special; it marks their 18th wedding anniversary.
"We were supposed to go away, we had been planning for months," said Hope Diaz.
Instead of celebrating their love story, they’re working to start a new chapter. But they say they're grateful because they’re able to do it together.
"My husband's flesh and blood, this is what matters. I believe there is going to be a blessing in all of this," said Hope Diaz
If you are interested in helping out the family, click here to donate to their GoFundMe.
Contact Tradesha Woodard at twoodard1@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.