Don’t look now—but today is the day.

For former Auburn pitcher Steven Register, this morning marks the beginning of a surgery that could save his life. And at the center of it all is an act of extraordinary generosity from someone who once walked the same high school hallways two decades ago: his former classmate, Kristin Johnston.

Just a year ago, Steven’s world was shaken by devastating news. He was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer, and it had spread to his liver. Doctors told him the harshest of truths—he likely had one year to live. For Steven, a husband and father, those words hit harder than any fastball ever could.

But in the face of despair, hope arrived in the most unexpected way. Kristin, who had attended Shaw High School in Columbus, Georgia with Steven 20 years ago, stepped forward. When she learned he needed a liver transplant to have a fighting chance, she volunteered without hesitation. After a battery of tests, the results came back—she was a match.

Today, at Strong Memorial Hospital at the University of Rochester in New York, both Steven and Kristin are undergoing life-changing surgery. The day began early, with both families arriving at the hospital at 6 a.m. The surgery itself was scheduled for 10 a.m. and will stretch into the night, not expected to end until 11 p.m. It will be a long, exhausting day for both the Register and Johnston families, filled with waiting, praying, and hoping.

For Steven, the procedure is daunting but filled with promise. His failing liver will be removed, replaced with 70 percent of Kristin’s liver. In time, both livers will regenerate to full size, offering Steven not just more time, but the chance to truly live again.

For Kristin, the decision to donate was deeply personal. She is a wife to Cody, a mother to their children, and yet she chose to put herself through the pain and risks of surgery to give an old classmate a chance at life. It’s a gesture that has left their community humbled, inspired, and united in prayer.

Steven’s wife, Beth, and their children are clinging to hope today. They’ve watched him endure the toll of cancer treatments, the emotional rollercoaster of setbacks and small victories, and now they wait for the possibility of a miracle. For them, this surgery isn’t just about prolonging Steven’s life—it’s about restoring their family’s future together.

And for Kristin’s family, there is pride and nervousness in equal measure. Cody and their children are supporting her with love, fully aware of the sacrifice she is making. Today, two families are linked forever by an act of courage that transcends friendship and time.

As the hours tick by in the hospital, the weight of this day cannot be overstated. Yet alongside the nerves and fear lies gratitude—gratitude for modern medicine, for the skill of surgeons, and for the willingness of one woman to give a piece of herself so another might live.

The story of Steven and Kristin is more than a medical procedure. It is a reminder of the best of humanity—the power of selflessness, the bonds that can outlast decades, and the way love and courage can break through even the darkest diagnoses.

So today, let’s keep Steven, Beth, and their children in our prayers. Let’s hold Kristin, her husband Cody, and their children close in our thoughts as well. Their long, anxious day will not be easy, but with encouragement and support from those around them, it will be a little lighter.

Because today isn’t just about a surgery. It’s about hope. It’s about courage. And it’s about two classmates whose lives are forever intertwined in the most extraordinary way.