A rescuer found 3 friendship bracelets tangled on a tree branch near the Blanco River — and when Patrick Mahomes saw the initials on them, he broke down.
The bracelets belonged to 3 of the 17 girls still missing from Camp Mystic.
Mahomes had them cleaned, framed in silver, and delivered to the families with one note:
“They were still holding onto each other.”

In July 2025, the Blanco River in Texas churned with a fury that left scars on the land and hearts of those in its path. A devastating flood had swept through the region, and Camp Mystic, a beloved summer camp for girls near Kerrville, was among the hardest hit. Seventeen girls remained missing, their families clinging to dwindling hope as rescue teams scoured the muddy banks. Amid the chaos, a rescuer spotted something glinting on a gnarled tree branch near the river’s edge: three friendship bracelets, tangled together, their colorful beads dulled by mud but unbroken. Each bore initials—L.M., S.T., and A.R.—etched into small metal charms.

The discovery was shared on X, and the image reached Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City, 320 miles away. The quarterback, known for his composure under pressure, felt his breath catch when he saw the initials. He knew those letters. They belonged to Lily, Sarah, and Ava, three inseparable friends who’d attended his foundation’s charity event the previous year, their laughter and handmade Chiefs-themed bracelets a vivid memory. Patrick’s 15 and the Mahomies Foundation had supported Camp Mystic’s programs, and the news of the missing girls had already weighed heavily on him. Seeing their bracelets, tangled but intact, broke him. He sat in silence, tears streaming, as his wife, Brittany, placed a hand on his shoulder.

Patrick didn’t wait. He called his foundation team, his voice steady but urgent. “We’re going to Kerrville. Those families need us.” Within hours, he was on the road, driving through the night to reach the relief center near the Blanco River. The bracelets, carefully retrieved by the rescuer, were waiting for him. Holding them, Patrick traced the initials with his thumb, each bead a testament to the girls’ bond. He knew they weren’t just trinkets—they were symbols of friendship, of resilience, of hope that refused to let go.

At the relief center, Patrick met with the families of Lily, Sarah, and Ava. The air was thick with grief, the parents’ eyes hollow from sleepless nights. He didn’t offer empty promises or platitudes. Instead, he presented a plan. He had the bracelets cleaned, their colors restored, and each one delicately framed in silver to preserve their beauty. Alongside them, he included a handwritten note, his words simple but piercing: “They were still holding onto each other.” The note wasn’t just about the bracelets—it was a promise that the girls’ bond, and the families’ hope, would endure.

When Patrick delivered the framed bracelets to the families, the room stilled. Lily’s mother clutched the frame, her fingers trembling as she read the note aloud. Sarah’s father, a stoic man, broke into sobs, his wife pulling him close. Ava’s older brother, barely 16, stared at the bracelet, whispering, “They’re still out there.” Patrick stood with them, his own eyes wet, sharing their pain. “We’re not giving up,” he told them. “Not on them, not on you.”

But Patrick’s commitment went deeper. He announced that his foundation would fund an expanded search effort, partnering with local authorities and private rescue teams to comb the Blanco River and surrounding areas. He hired drones, brought in expert trackers, and set up a 24/7 support line for the families of all 17 missing girls. He also pledged to rebuild Camp Mystic, ensuring it would be a safe haven for future generations, with flood-resistant structures and enhanced safety measures. “This camp gave those girls joy,” he said. “We’ll make sure it does again.”

The framed bracelets became a symbol of hope in Kerrville. Photos of them circulated on X, inspiring donations and volunteers from across Texas. A local artist painted a mural near the river, depicting three colorful bracelets intertwined against a backdrop of rushing water, with Patrick’s words etched beneath: “They were still holding onto each other.” The families kept the frames by their bedsides, a daily reminder of their daughters’ unbreakable bond and the community rallying behind them.

Patrick returned to Kerrville weekly, meeting with families, joining search teams, and speaking at community vigils. At one, he stood before a crowd holding candles, his voice cracking as he said, “Lily, Sarah, Ava, and every girl still out there—they’re our girls. We hold onto them, just like they held onto each other.” The crowd, tearful but resolute, lit up the night with their candles, a sea of light against the darkness.

Months later, a miracle unfolded. Search teams found tracks leading to a remote cave, where Lily, Sarah, and Ava were discovered, weak but alive, having survived by sharing what little they had. The bracelets, tangled on that branch, had marked their path, guiding rescuers to them. The reunion with their families was a scene of raw joy, broadcast live across the nation. Patrick was there, embracing each girl, his smile wide but his eyes glistening. “You held onto each other,” he told them, echoing his note. “And we held onto you.”

The framed bracelets now sit in a display at the rebuilt Camp Mystic, alongside a plaque honoring Patrick’s unwavering support. The note, “They were still holding onto each other,” is engraved in the camp’s entrance, a testament to friendship, resilience, and a quarterback who saw three initials and refused to let hope drown. In Kerrville, Patrick Mahomes didn’t just deliver aid—he delivered a promise that even in the darkest floods, love and hope can hold fast, unbroken, forever.