Our daughter was born at 24 weeks 2 days weighing 1lb 6oz. We knew the statistics. We knew her odds weren't good, but as you look down at your child for the first time, all you see is hope. Every statistic flys out the window and you are convinced your child is going to be the exception.

As each day passed, and Emmalin grew stronger your hope of getting out of the NICU unscathed grows stronger too. Despite the set backs; surgeries, infections, feeding issues, brain bleeds, etc... All you see is the progress. We never thought we would be on the wrong side of statistics. We never thought that after 74 days of our little fighter giving everything she had to stay alive, it wouldn't be enough.

Not all NICU stories have the happy ending. Not all babies get to come home. However, every NICU baby is a fighter and that fight shouldn't be forgotten simply because the odds became too much. We watched Emmalin grow from a 1lb 6oz baby whose eyes were fused shut, to a 4lb 7oz fighter who gave everything she had to fight for life. Seeing pictures of Emmalin make us cry but they also make us so incredibly proud to be the parents of this little fighter! Please remember not all NICU stories have a happy ending. We spent 74 days in the NICU and we believe Emmalin's story deserves to be told as much as the stories of babies that have a much happier ending. All NICU stories matter because every one has a fighter behind it who deserves the recognition!

Emmalin's fight for life is what allows us to keep going. How can I give up, when my daughter fought so hard for her chance at life? Her fight is also what pushed us to start an organization in her name. Emmalin's Warriors will make sure that no one forgets Emmalin's fight for life and will allow us to fight for other NICU families.

Every baby is a fighter, no matter the outcome! The NICU is not all happy endings. However, we will forever be grateful for the 74 days we got with the strongest person I will ever meet.