I am the proud parent of a heart warrior—my son, Charlie, who is now 2½ years old. Charlie was born with a complex congenital heart condition, including CCTGA, pulmonary stenosis (PS), ventricular septal defect (VSD), a straddling mitral valve, and a mild hypoplastic left ventricle. In his short life, he has already undergone two open-heart surgeries and multiple catheterization procedures. His strength and resilience inspire me every day.

I began running after receiving the call to schedule Charlie’s first open-heart surgery when he was just six months old. At that time, I could barely run a mile without feeling completely out of breath. That moment changed everything for me. I realized how fortunate I am to have a healthy body capable of movement; something my son has had to fight so hard for. Running to me is more than exercise; it became a way to honor Charlie and others who face challenges with incredible courage.

Today, I run to be the strongest, healthiest version of myself—not only for Charlie, but also for his older brothers, CJ and Caleb. I am deeply honored to support the Children’s Heart Foundation, an organization dedicated to funding critical research for congenital heart disease. This research brings hope to families like ours and helps create a brighter future for children born with heart conditions.

We are beyond grateful to have Charlie in our lives. His journey reminds us every day of the power of resilience, the importance of research, and the beauty of never giving up.