Capturing Happiness started as a project for a leadership class at the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University. Students were tasked with finding a few people outside the class to lead a worthwhile endeavor. Some classmates chose to do service projects or fundraisers, but Hayden Bomer decided this was his opportunity to do something big. Little did he know how big the assignment would become. The class came and went, and the team realized an important lesson about planning. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Life happened, and each person took different routes, as expected, with any group of friends.

Hayden found himself married and living in Rexburg, ID when a familiar idea resurfaced. Bound and determined not to make the same mistakes as before, he began the painstaking work of writing a business plan and ensuring this project would create the desired result, bringing happiness into the lives of those who need a helping hand.

The stories shared by the authors became the motivation to continue even when obstacles arose, and little by little, the book turned into reality. One day we hope the authors reflect on the experience of being involved in this miraculous work and be amazed at how they all became a part of each other's lives through the bonds of our stories.

One hundred sixteen authors contributed to this work from various backgrounds and experiences.