Andrea's Story

Hi, I’m Andrea! I’m 28 years old, originally from Baltimore, Maryland, but I’ve called Florida home since I was 18. My partner and I have been together since high school, and next month we’ll be celebrating 11 years together.

For most of my adult life, I’ve worked long hours as a kitchen manager—55 hours a week to be exact—but becoming a mom has changed everything for me. After years of trying to grow our family, I was finally blessed with my son. My pregnancy didn’t go as planned—I developed preeclampsia and was rushed into an emergency C-section at 30 weeks. My blood pressure had spiked dangerously high, and in an instant, everything I thought I knew about becoming a mom shifted.

The first time I met my son wasn’t how I imagined it—it was through a FaceTime call because he had to be transported to a hospital 45 minutes away before I even woke up. He spent 56 days in the NICU, fighting to breathe and relying on four different forms of breathing support. Those days were some of the hardest of my life, but they also showed me the strength, resilience, and hope that every NICU parent carries in their heart.

Now, I’ve started my own business as a way to create something meaningful out of our story. My goal is to raise awareness for NICU journeys, prematurity, and pregnancy complications, while also building a future that gives me more time with my son. Most of all, I want other moms to know: you are not alone. Every story matters, and every struggle brings strength.