Introducing: Daphne Day & Ducky's Room
I’ve always loved the shift of the seasons from summer to fall. The cooler temperatures (whenever we get them), the slow change in the pigment of the world around us, a sense of serenity after the busyness of summer.
Last September was one of my favorites. I was nearly eight months pregnant with Daphne, thinking about all the fall walks we’d take her on. We celebrated her and our growing family with those near and dear to us with baby shower celebrations, we were finalizing preparations around our home for when we’d bring our daughter home, and we were excited about the chapter ahead of us.
And we had the best fall season. Daphne came on October 24, and we spent many a day walking around our neighborhood amongst the yellow, orange and red crunch of fallen leaves.
I thought this September would lead us into the fall season with pumpkin patch visits with our nearly-one-year-old. But life took a different turn. Our little Scorpio baby is forever one day shy of 3 months old and we never got to take her to a pumpkin patch.
Parenting Daphne looks so much different than we imagined. And yet, through it all, being her mom continues to be one of the greatest gifts and honors of my life. “Daphne’s Mom” is one of my favorite titles. I never thought I’d be that mom who found so much of her identity in motherhood, but that’s where I’ve landed.
So what does parenting Daphne this fall season look like? I’m glad you asked ;)
The 2025 Cleveland Congenital Heart Walk
Nearly two-dozen beloved beings – largely friends – came to Cleveland with us on Saturday, Sept. 13, to walk in The Children’s Heart Foundation Cleveland Congenital Heart Walk. And our Daphne’s Brave Heart team raised more than $3,600!! Literally insane.
Seeing how Daphne continues to bring so many of our worlds together – friends and family of ours who ordinarily would never be in the same spaces if not for Daphne – is really special.
In just seven months since Daphne’s passing, Daphne’s Brave Heart has raised more than $30,000 for CHD research, advocacy, and family support. We continue to be blown away.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I’m so proud of my girl and the change-maker she’s shown herself to be. I want to be just half as cool as Daphne when I grow up.
And she just keeps getting cooler!!
Introducing: Ducky’s Room
Daphne is getting her own room at Akron Children’s 👀
Through our partnership with Akron Children’s we are creating a private waiting space for families whose children are undergoing heart surgery. This space is born out of our first-hand experience during Daphne’s surgery day.
We want families to feel comfortable and have a sense of privacy as they are at some of their most vulnerable moments.
Our work through Daphne’s Brave Heart – in conjunction with First Serve – will also provide care bags for these families in the hopes that they feel seen in their journey and know they aren’t alone.
Which brings us to…
Daphne Day 2025
Just as this September doesn’t look like the September we imagined with our supposed-to-be, soon-to-be toddler, neither will Daphne’s birthday next month. But the thought of not having a party to celebrate her – and all the light she continues to shine into our community near and far – was something we couldn’t imagine.
So on October 25, one day after our sweet girl turns One in the stars, we will be hosting Daphne Day at First Congregational Church in Hudson 🤍
A birthday celebration to honor our girl, and to socialize and connect with others who love Daphne. You can visit her at her resting place and leave a birthday note, as well as plant a flower in her memory.
During Daphne Day, you will have a chance to put one of the Ducky’s Room care bags to provide families, write an encouraging note to families, or simply sponsor a care bag or items that will be in Ducky’s Room.
You also can visit Daphne at her resting spot in the courtyard, leave her a birthday note, or plant a flower in her honor.
So to highlight in a visual list: you can have a direct hand in the work of Daphne’s Brave Heart at this event by:
Creating care bags for the families of Ducky's Room – we have a goal of making 91 bags for her 91 days of life.
Sponsor a bag so we can continue to care for CHD families into the future.
Sponsor items in Ducky's Room: furniture, coffee machines, board games, and more.
Create art that will be included in Ducky's Room.
Donate to research projects connected to Akron Children's related to Daphne's incredibly unique CHD.
Donate directly to the evolving work of Daphne's Brave Heart.
Since we know our support circle reaches far and wide across the States (and even reaching Australia!), we are working to create ways for folks unable to attend in person to sponsor items or give virtually. More details to come.
(If planning to attend in person, we kindly ask you to RSVP here.)
We continue to be humbled by the love and support our family has continued to receive this year, and we couldn’t do this without you all.
Thank you for walking by our side and helping keep Daph’s light shining as we work to honor her and do a small part to support local families on their CHD journeys.
