Our Story

Hello, my name is Bill Harden, and after 25 years as a chef and culinary innovator, I put my career on hold to fight for my daughter’s life. Since April 2018, every moment and every dollar have gone toward navigating her chronic illness, seeking world-class medical care, and simply trying to keep her safe and supported.

Our journey has taken us thousands of miles — from our home, through countless specialists from Birmingham to Charlottesville, up to Maine and back to Huntsville, Alabama. Each move was made in hope. Each time, we packed up our lives, chasing the possibility of better health for my daughter, Spring. Along the way, we faced too many heartbreaks: medications that made things worse, one specialist’s waitlist that never ended, and a disastrous moving company that took our belongings and demanded more than triple what was agreed.

After years mostly spent in hospitals and in bed, not just my daughter, but our whole family has struggled. We are far behind on basic bills, and the mountain of medical debt feels insurmountable. Melody Spring is still fighting — currently back in the hospital battling a kidney blockage and severe infection. Despite it all, she’s resilient, and I am determined.

Why I’m Asking For Your Help

As Melody Spring has slowly begun to regain some strength, a dream started to take root in both of us: turning all this experience into something that brings hope and health to others.

I am seeking help to cover critical family and medical bills and — most importantly — to launch a community resource called Spring Thyme Cafe.

What Is Spring Thyme Cafe?

Spring Thyme Cafe is my vision for a scratch-made, wholesome eatery committed to only clean, unprocessed, sustainable foods.

Absolutely no artificial flavors, colors, or sweeteners.

Grab-and-go healthy, satisfying comfort food for busy families.

As affordable and convenient as fast food — but as nourishing as a home-cooked meal.

Inspired by places like Panera Bread and Chick-fil-A, but held to even higher food integrity and service standards.

This cafe is named for my daughter, Melody Spring — whose perseverance continues to inspire me, even in the hardest times. I want Spring Thyme to be a model for future franchises, raising the bar for healthy, accessible food options in every community.

How Your Donation Will Help

Your support will:

Cover urgent family necessities and medical bills

Fund Spring Thyme Cafe’s opening: equipment, ingredient sourcing, and staff who believe in wholesome food

Help us offer living-wage jobs and pay forward hope in our community

Give Spring — and other families — a reason to keep fighting for brighter, healthier days

Join Our Journey

Every dollar helps us breathe a little easier and brings us closer to making a real difference in others’ lives through food. If you believe in a future where families don’t have to choose between health and convenience, we invite you to join us.

With gratitude and hope,

Bill & Melody Spring Harden