On February 2nd, 2023, I became one of the select few people to know about little Josie (seriously, she was like the size of a mustard seed). At her 20-week anatomy scan, Josephine’s mom, Payton, was told that Josephine had bilateral clubfoot, a rare condition affecting only 1 in 1,000 infants. Just weeks later, our world was turned upside down when Josephine was diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot with Pulmonary Atresia, a complex congenital heart defect (CHD). This condition consists of four heart defects: Ventricular Septal Defect, Ventricular Hypertrophy, Pulmonary Stenosis, and a Misplaced Aorta. On September 19, 2023, Josephine made her grand entrance into the world—just a few weeks shy of her due date—and in those first few minutes of her life, she captured our hearts completely. Josephine spent 99 intense and challenging days in the NICU at Dallas Medical Center. At only 7 weeks old, she underwent open-heart surgery and was placed on ECMO, a form of life-support. We spent those next 5 days in uncertainty, clinging to hope as Josephine fought with all her might. After 5 more days with an open chest, she continued to persevere. I remember thinking, "How is it possible that I look up to a 2-month-old?" Her strength, resilience, and fighting spirit have changed my life. While Josie was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect (CHD), CHD will never define her. Josie is so much more than her diagnosis. She is so silly, she loves to read, and I promise she does the splits just as well as Simone Biles. CHD will always be a part of her life, and we will never stop advocating for her and families who have shared the same road. Josephine’s courage has taught me the true meaning of strength. Each day, she continues to defy the odds and prove to us all that no challenge is too big when you have the heart of a warrior. I am deeply thankful to be a part of her journey and witness her bravery every single day. In this journey, Payton has demonstrated an extraordinary level of selflessness and courage. No matter the circumstances, she always prioritized the needs of those around her, ensuring they were comfortable and providing strength when they couldn't find it themselves. Payton embodies what it means to be an incredible mom, and I am so grateful to have been by her side since 1st grade. There truly isn’t much we haven’t been through—or so I thought. I am fortunate to run alongside Payton (and her amazing sister, Katie) with the CHF at the NYC Marathon! As Payton says, I would be lying if I said I wasn’t intimidated, but as she says, “If Josie can fight for her life, I can run a silly little marathon.” I invite you to join me in the fight against CHD, alongside the CHF. Together, we can explore the unknown, search for answers, and face each day with courage and a smile—just like Josie.