Stella & Renee's Story ~ A Custom Design Memorial Bolo Tie

Momma & Renee's Story ~ A Custom Family Memorial Bolo Tie

Some bolo ties begin with a stone, a photograph, an old piece of jewelry, or an idea.

This one began with two women we loved.

Momma—Stella—was Michael's mother and my mother-in-law. Renee was Michael's sister and my sister-in-law. They were mother and daughter, and the bond between them was something our entire family knew.

In August and September of 2025, we celebrated their birthdays just weeks apart. Renee turned 56 on August 21. Momma celebrated her 82nd birthday on September 4—complete with her Birthday Queen crown and glasses. 👑

We had no idea how precious those photographs would soon become.

Fourteen Hours Apart

Only days later, everything changed.

Renee was unexpectedly rushed to the hospital. Her condition was far more serious than any of us initially understood, and soon our family was called to her side.

At another hospital only about five miles away, Momma was facing the end of her own journey.

We made the difficult decision not to tell either of them what the other was going through. We didn't tell Momma that Renee was dying. And we didn't tell Renee that her mother had decided she was ready to go home to her Heavenly Father.

We sat beside Renee as she passed away on September 9, 2025.

Then we went straight to Momma.

She knew her time was near. Eventually, she told everyone to leave, and just 14 hours after her daughter, Momma went home to the Lord on September 10, 2025.

Maybe a mother simply knows.

Maybe a daughter does too.

Whatever happened during those fourteen hours is something we'll never completely understand on this side of Heaven. But our family has always felt that their connection was so strong that, somehow, they weren't going to make that final journey without one another.

A Celebration of Two Lives

We honored Momma and Renee together with a Celebration of 2 Lives, because separating their stories didn't feel right.

Later, I wanted to create something that could carry that same meaning forward.

Our family inherited vintage jewelry and brooches from both women—little pieces they once chose, touched and wore. Those pieces are treasures now, not because of what they're made from, but because of who they belonged to.

That same idea inspired this custom memorial bolo tie.

At its center is a photograph of Momma and Renee together—mother and daughter, side by side again.

It isn't simply a photograph placed inside a bolo tie.

It's family.

It's memory.

It's two birthdays we'll always remember.

It's September 9th and September 10th.

It's a mother and daughter separated from us by only fourteen hours—and, through our faith, reunited for eternity.

Made to Keep Them Close

This one was never created to be just another bolo tie.

It was created so that when we see it, wear it, or someday pass it down to another generation of our family, Momma and Renee's story goes with it.

That's what an heirloom is supposed to do.

The people we love may leave the things they once held in our hands. But more importantly, they leave their stories in our hearts.

And sometimes we're blessed with the opportunity to turn a little piece of that story into something we can hold onto.

Together in life. Together in our memories. And now, together with their Heavenly Father. ✝️

Product Specifications

Design: One-of-a-kind family memorial bolo tie
Centerpiece: Custom photo centerpiece featuring Momma (Stella) & Renee
Leather: 36" black braided leather
Tips: Polished silver floral western tips
Purpose: Family memorial and heirloom piece
Design & Craftsmanship: Created by Mike's Custom Bolos
Legacy: Created to be worn, remembered, treasured and passed down

At Mike's Custom Bolos, some of the most meaningful pieces we create aren't really about bolo ties at all.

They're about the people whose stories deserve to keep being told.

Be Brave! Be Bolo'd! 🤠💜