My son was in the neonatal intensive care unit for five months. His journey was one of a kind. It was full of courage and bravery on his end. Every day was different and brought about a rollercoaster of emotions.

During my son’s stay, I learned so much from the doctors, the nursing staff, and even the respiratory therapists' staff. The one person who will always stand out in my heart is his Primary Nurse, Heather. Heather was one of the kindest, caring, and nurturing nurses that I have ever come across. She absolutely did her duty, as any nurse would. What truly was different, when it came to Heather, was her compassion for my son's family. From the very beginning, she was always open and welcoming to my husband and me. She was a confidant for me, and I am sure God gifted her to us for a reason during his fight. Heather took excellent care of my son, just as if he were her own child.

Heather advocated for him; she made sure to input her wishes when it came to his care plans, always making sure his needs were passed down to the other nurses on other shifts. I truly believe that Heather was an anchor for my son; he felt when she would leave, and he knew when she was back. I don't think that my family could've had a better experience in this situation.

Heather made a huge impact on not only my son, but also myself and my family. Her name holds weight even till this day in my household, and I'm sure it always will. My son's strength and memory live on in our hearts, and along with that is Heather and all the joyful memories I have with her. Thank you, Heather, for being so authentic and compassionate! You truly are a part of my family, and I can't express enough the amount of gratitude that I feel towards you!