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A Story of Two Hearts
Before I was a mother, before titles and platforms, this journey started with my own heart.
Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) is something I have lived with—not just learned about. It’s the most common birth defect in the United States, yet so many people don’t fully understand what it means to grow up with it. For me, it meant early awareness that my heart was different. It meant doctor visits, questions, and learning resilience at a young age.
CHD isn’t just a diagnosis—it shapes how you see the world. It teaches you strength before you even realize you need it. It teaches you gratitude for the moments others might take for granted. And it gives you a deep, unshakable understanding that life is precious
My Heart Story
At just two days old, I was diagnosed with congenital heart disease. I was born with severe aortic stenosis and a bicuspid aortic valve. Early on, I underwent a procedure to help open the valve and improve blood flow, and at two years old, I had open-heart surgery. Despite those early challenges, my childhood was full of life, joy, and energy—I was able to grow up like any other kid, embracing every moment.
As I grew older, my CHD became part of who I am—but it never defined my limits. I pursued my education, built my career in technology, and created a life filled with purpose, family, and passion. Still, I always knew that my story had a deeper reason. I just didn’t know yet how important that reason would become.
Then I Became a Mom
Everything changed when I became a mom.
When you hold your child for the first time, your heart exists outside your body. Every hope, every dream, every ounce of love is wrapped up in that tiny human. And then, my journey came full circle.
Becoming a CHD mom brings a completely different kind of strength. It’s one thing to face your own diagnosis. It’s another to watch your child walk a similar path. The fear hits differently. The stakes feel higher. And the love becomes even more powerful.
My Heart Warrior, Alex
My son, Alexander, was also born with Congenital Heart Disease. At my 20 week appointment, he was diagnosed with Transposition of the Great Arteries. In that moment, CHD was no longer just my story—it was ours. He was born on September 28, 2021, and on October 1st, he underwent open heart surgery to fix the heart.
Alex is what we proudly call a heart warrior. He is strong, vibrant, joyful, and full of life. You would never know by looking at him the battles his heart has already faced. He loves music, dancing, learning, and bringing energy into every room he enters. He reminds me every single day that CHD does not define a person—it reveals their strength. Through Alex, I see courage in its purest form.