Welcome Home, Bliven Family!

The crowd of excited spectators spilled out of Green Acres, waiting for Michelle, Bill, Kristen, Aaron and Taylor Bliven family to return to the home built especially for them. Minot Mayor Curt Zimbelman didn’t even want to even start estimating the size of the crowd. The media present estimated from 3,000 to 5,000 people. Lining the street and the boulevard, they chanted and cheered as they waited under the hot sun for the Bliven family’s return. Some had spent the night, sleeping on the couches in the VIP tent.

A sea of blue shirts marked those who had helped throughout the week. The unofficial count of workers and volunteers registered during the week topped 4,000. Most were North Dakotans, but volunteers also came from Montana, South Dakota, South Carolina, Florida, even Canada.

The Extreme Makeover: Home Edition crew ran through rehearsals for the family’s return and caught shots of the crowd. The Minot High School drum line and cheerleaders entertained those waiting; their precision performance also was captured by the film crew.

The crowd grew larger; the temperature climbed higher. Many lining the street started to feel the effects of the heat, and volunteers rushed to distribute water.

While the excitement built throughout the Blivens' neighborhood, the Heritage Homes builders, Tyrone Leslie and Daryl Braham, toured the home for a final inspection. The partners smiled broadly as they came down the driveway with the walk-through complete, hugging their family members that had gathered.

The Extreme Makeover: Home Edition location manager shouted information to the crowd through a megaphone, dividing the crowd into sections and repeating the instructions to ensure everyone had the details…“thank you for all you did…our experience in North Dakota was fantastic…this community has been incredible.…make noise, be sure to be heard—you won’t want the folks in Tennessee to be louder, would you?...join us at the ball field later today, but don’t tell the Blivens…it’s still a surprise…”

Volunteers in blue shirts were informed to be ready; when the family gets closer to arrival, they should line up along the property, on either side. On cue, a mass of blue swarmed into position. The Heritage Homes team and their families moved to the front edge of the driveway. Spectators were moved to form a path for the Hummer limousine.

The crowd knew the family was getting closer when Ty Pennington appeared, and announced their approval with a roar. The camera crews captured Ty bounding up and down the street-sharing high fives with spectators and volunteers while shouting instructions. The design team also arrived to cheers, disappearing into the house to await their cue to run out and greet the family.

Those at the entrance to Green Acres saw the limo first. A tide of cheers and clapping traveled quickly down the street. As Ty welcomed the Bliven family, the crowd roared, following with a sudden hush as everyone strained to hear what Ty was saying.

Then came Ty-the family and the crowd chanting “Move that bus”. The camera crew ran into a new position to capture the family’s reaction as they saw their new home for the first time.

Kristen and Michelle held Aaron’s hands as the bus pulled away to reveal the new home. Many along the street joined the family in wiping away tears. Tyrone and Daryl ran to greet and hug the family. The crowd cheered wildly the moment Daryl informed Bill and Michelle that, through the generosity of their North Dakota community, their mortgage was paid.

As the family disappeared into their new home, Bill waved to the crowd one more time, unaware of the other surprises the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition team, Heritage Homes and the community had in store for the rest of the weekend.

As the Heritage Homes team gathered in front of the beautiful, sunny yellow ranch house for a group hug and a group photo, Daryl summed up the week: “I think I speak for all of the build team, the volunteers and the donors – both large and small – when I say this wasn’t just an incredible experience for the Bliven family, it was a life-changing experience for all of us.”