Twelve-year-old Coeur d'Alene resident Liam Sturgis has battled kidney disease his entire life. 

He was honored as the Make-A-Wish "Cowboy for a Day" at the North Idaho State Fair on Thursday.

"It was very nerve-wracking," Liam said about being crowned on stage. "I didn't know what to say."

Liam traveled to Seattle for the transplant surgery in January and remained there for three months. During that time, he could not be more than 10 miles from the hospital, according to his father, Daniel Sturgis. The family still returns periodically for follow-up treatments and appointments.

"Once he got the surgery and we were released to come home from Seattle, it felt like a weight had been lifted off our shoulders," Daniel said. "It's been a roller coaster the last 12 years."

Liam admitted he was nervous before the transplant surgery but was relieved when the procedure was over.

"It was scary, but it went by really fast," he said.

Liam enjoys playing football and baseball, but his greatest success has come on the golf course, where he has posted a round of 87. 

When Make-A-Wish Idaho contacted him about granting a wish, he was asked to provide three options. One was having dinner with professional golfer Bryson DeChambeau. Ultimately, however, his wish for a trip to Legoland Florida was selected.

Liam learned his wish had been granted during the fair's bull riding event Thursday night. He and his family will leave for Florida this morning.

"I love Legos, and I've wanted to go to Legoland for a couple of years," Liam said.

Liam is one of more than 2,200 Idaho children whose wishes have been granted by Make-A-Wish over the organization's 40-year history in the state.

After years of managing Liam's kidney disease, the Sturgis family said they are grateful not only for the upcoming trip to Legoland, but also for Liam's successful transplant and the opportunity to enjoy a special day at the fair.

"Today we just wanted to have fun, take in the fair and enjoy the chance to do something really cool," Daniel said.