Thirteen years ago, my twins were born too early. There was no Facebook, Instagram, or any other real social media to ask for help. It was a very scary time. I was admitted into the hospital because my water broke way too early. I lived in the hospital for two weeks until they could not stop the labor any more. The twins came at 1:38 am. I was not doing well physically. I have no memory of their birth. That breaks my heart. No memories of their Dad's smile, the joy of their cries (if there even were any) seeing them over the sheet, or looking at them. My first memory is of the pediatric cardiologist talking rapidly "at me" about the grim future of my son's heart. He had be diagnosed with VSD and he wanted to go in and perform open heart surgery. Did he have my permission? I just remember staring at him, taking it all in....with my first question being, "Can you tell me the color of his eyes?"

We eventually decided not to do it. But remember, I didn't have a smart phone. I could not just Google this condition and make an informed decision. I had to make it in my own medical haze and hope for the best. My daughter was doing better than he was, thankfully. As the days moved on, he was touch and go. They finally placed his sister in his incubator with him and he soared. It took him two days from that point to get off his CPAP and they were home before their due date.

Fast forward to them being 13. They have some challenges. They have had many along the way. We work through them as a family, helping each other as best we can. But please, don't get me wrong. They are 13 year olds. 13. Hormones, bickering, name calling, and door slamming happens all of the time. They are graduating middle school this year....and we went on high school tours this week. Tears flowed...but for a good reason this time.

I speak often at engagements and try to raise funds for the March of Dimes each year. I share my story and I have read yours. We fight for them because they can't fight yet for themselves. NICU/Preemie parents are in a class unlike any other. They are amazing, they are fighters, they are their child's voice. Thanks for listening to mine.