What is the most rewarding part of being a mom?

We celebrate every small milestone, and moments that most parents don’t realize are big moments for other families. Like the first day I held my daughter again, when she was 13 days, days before her first major operation. Or when she opened her eyes again for the first time when the paralytics wore off. I never imagined our journey would look like this, it has been full of so much fear. Which turned to faith. Every day is a reward, every minute we can snuggle up to her hospital crib is a reward.

What is the biggest lesson motherhood has taught you?

To give myself grace, to allow myself to fall apart to then show up for her. Motherhood looks different for everyone, but there is a special bond amongst mothers. We know. We know how it feels when you hold your little one for the first time. When postpartum hits hard, mixed with joy and fear. It is a feeling we all share, a knowing. We all have differences but at the core, motherhood knows no bounds. Leaning on our village and into community, finding commonality grants us endless lessons.

What would you do with $20,000?

$20,000 would aide us immensely. When our daughter was born blue & breathless we had no idea the journey ahead. Major operations, transferring care to specialized hospitals and moving our lives to be able to be with our girl. Open heart surgeries, a berlin heart, and being listed as 1A status for heart transplant.. it’s unimaginable what we’ve gone through, $20,000 would go towards meals and rent. And more bows for our princess.