Our Story

Our Journey: From Unexpected Guardianship to Sunshine's Warrior Candle Co.

Hello, and thank you for taking a moment to read our story! We’re Michael and Savanna Middendorp, along with our three kiddos—Brooklyn, Lorelei, and Asher—and we are the founders of Sunshine's Warrior Candle Co. We wanted to share our journey with you, from unexpected turns in life to the inspiration behind our candle company. Grab some coffee, settle in, and enjoy the ride!

Becoming Caregivers at 22

When we were both 22, we were passionate about making a difference in the world somehow, someway. We believed that moving out of state would provide the opportunities and experiences to help shape our path toward creating that change... however, life had other plans. At 22 years old, we never imagined we’d become full-time caregivers to our two nieces. It was an emotional and challenging journey, filled with uncertainty and unknowns. After a couple years of uncertainty, we were finally granted legal guardianship. During that time, a little blessing—our son Asher—came into our lives, and everything changed again. Suddenly, we were transitioning from being full-time Auntie and Uncle to also first-time parents, and it was a whirlwind! The idea of moving away was far gone, and our new passion was being the best parents we could be.

Before becoming parents to our nieces and our son, Michael had been diagnosed in August 2019 with Myotonia Congenita, a muscle condition that causes his muscles to become "hyperexcited" in response to movements after resting. While the condition is mild and manageable, it raised some questions about genetic risks, especially since the condition can be passed down.

The Delay of Testing

We had initially planned to consult with a geneticist to better understand the risk to our future children, but life got in the way. The idea of testing got pushed aside, and by January 2020, our lives took an unexpected turn: we were asked to care for our nieces. We were supposed to be a safe, short term placement for them for "only a short period of time", but that wasn't the case. Our plans for genetic testing were quickly forgotten, especially when the Covid-19 pandemic hit just two months later, turning everything upside down.

In September 2020, we got engaged, and by May 1, 2021, we were set to marry. Just one week before the wedding, we were in for a surprise—two pink lines on a pregnancy test! We never thought to revisit the genetic testing, convinced that the chances of both of us having the same rare condition were slim. Little did we know, our journey was about to take another turn.

A Scary Birth and a Surprising Diagnosis

A month before Asher was due, our new OB suggested we see a geneticist to finally get the testing done. At that point, we figured it was just a formality. Then, in December 2021, Asher arrived—perfectly healthy, but after a difficult delivery that required an urgent C-section due to signs of fetal distress. Thankfully, our sweet boy was born, and we were overjoyed.

In February 2022, we finally met with a geneticist who recommended a specialized panel test to check for Myotonia Congenita. While we were there, she also suggested we test for a wide range of other conditions, just to cover all our bases. We didn’t expect anything to come of it; it was just a "what if" scenario. But life had other plans.

A Hospital Visit Turns Into a Life-Changing Discovery

In March 2022, when Asher was just a few months old, we took him to the ER for what we thought was a simple tummy bug. The first visit went smoothly, but the next day, Asher’s condition didn't improve, and we returned to the hospital. It was the second ER visit that changed everything.

The doctor, noticing how ill Asher looked, ordered further tests, and the results were unexpected. Asher’s liver enzymes were elevated, and an ultrasound revealed a possible fatty liver. Concerned, the ER doctor encouraged us to get a stat referral to a pediatric gastroenterologist at UC Davis Medical Center. On April 1, 2022, less than a week later, we were meeting with the pediatric gastroenterologist, who ran more tests, including a blood panel that revealed something alarming: Asher’s CK levels (a muscle enzyme) were extremely high—over 10,000.

The doctor suspected Muscular Dystrophy but reassured us that it was unlikely since there was no significant family history of muscle diseases, but instead possibly related to Michael's condition (even though we discussed Myotonia Congenita does not elevate CK levels that high). Still, he promised to share the results with our geneticist for further evaluation. Although shaken, we felt a little relief knowing the situation might not be as dire as it seemed.

The Diagnosis

That was until April 19, 2022, the day that everything changed. It was a day like any other, except for a little more excitement since it was Asher’s 4-month "birthday." We had plans to walk-through our soon-to-be new home, and then, I (Savanna) noticed a call from a UC Davis number. When I answered, it was our geneticist—a personal call, which was unusual. She had received the results of my genetic testing, and what she told me would change our lives forever.

I was a carrier for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD)—a rare, life-threatening condition that affects muscle function. She took the time to explain what a carrier status meant for myself, then had to break the devastating news that Asher’s symptoms made perfect sense. Without hesitation, she reached out to the MIND Institute at UC Davis to expedite an appointment for Asher. Normally, the waitlist was six months, but thanks to her efforts, we secured a consultation within the next month.

After a few months of delaying testing due to the fear of the situation, finally, on August 31, 2022, Asher was officially diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy—a diagnosis we hoped wasn't coming.

Finding Hope & Passion in the Midst of Challenges

Since then, we’ve worked closely with one of the world’s leading doctors at UC Davis and their research team. They’ve opened doors to possibilities we never thought would be available to our son. In the midst of the heartache and fear, we’ve found hope, and inspiration, to make a difference.

As parents, the journey has been overwhelming at times, but we’re learning that the greatest challenges often fall to those who have the strength to overcome them. The doctors and researchers we’ve met at UC Davis have given us the support, knowledge, and hope we need to help Asher live his best life possible.

The Birth of Sunshine's Warrior Candle Co.

Our journey with Asher has been both humbling and inspiring. Along the way, we’ve found strength in the most unexpected places—and one of those places is in Sunshine's Warrior Candle Co. We created our candle company as a way to bring light into our lives and the lives of others. The discovery of Asher’s diagnosis reignited our passion to make a difference, giving us a renewed sense of purpose and driving us to support the Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) community in meaningful ways.

The name “Sunshine’s Warrior” holds a special meaning to us. Michael’s grandfather has a long-standing tradition of giving everyone in the family a nickname, and Savanna’s has always been “Sunshine.” So, when we thought about our son, Asher, who has shown incredible strength and resilience in the face of his Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy diagnosis, the word “warrior” felt like the perfect complement to “Sunshine.” Asher is, without a doubt, our little warrior, and the name embodies both the light and the strength he brings to our family. Together, these words reflect our journey and the hope we carry with us every day. 

Through Sunshine's Warrior Candle Co., we aim to spread positivity, hope, and strength—just like our little warrior, Asher. Each candle we create is a reflection of our resilience, our love for our family, and our commitment to embracing the light even in the toughest times. We not only honor Asher and his fight but also strive to support other DMD warriors and their families. We want to bring light and warmth into the world, both literally and figuratively, by creating beautiful, hand-poured candles and products that spread positivity, hope, and strength. But beyond that, we are committed to supporting the DMD community—our fellow warriors—and will continue to do everything we can to help illuminate a world for them, just as we do for Asher.

Thank you for being part of our story. We hope you feel the warmth of our candles and the light of our journey.

With love and gratitude,
Michael, Savanna, Brooklyn, Lorelei, and Asher
Sunshine's Warrior Candle Co.