In November 2025, our daughter Brooke was born suddenly and unexpectedly at just 25 weeks and 6 days, weighing 2 pounds, 2 ounces. In an instant, my husband and I’s world was turned upside down. Nothing can prepare a family for the shock and uncertainty of a micro-preemie birth.

A few days after Brooke was born, my cousin — a NICU mom herself — gifted me a backpack with thoughtfully chosen essentials and small comforts for my NICU journey, the kind only someone who has walked the road would know to include. The backpack held everything I needed: a phone charger for long days, floss for late nights, and even a DoorDash gift card for the times I forgot to eat. The nurses recognized me by my backpack as it became my constant companion and my armor going back and forth to the NICU every day—often multiple times a day—to visit my miracle baby Brooke. It was more than a bag—it was care, understanding, and support during one of the hardest seasons of my life.

Because that backpack meant so much to me, I began putting together backpacks for other moms I met in the NICU. Through this simple act of kindness, I formed deep friendships with moms walking the same difficult journey. We encouraged one another, prayed for our babies, and stood side by side as we fought the journey with our babies.

After 107 days in the NICU filled with challenges, setbacks, and victories, Brooke was finally strong enough to come home. We were overjoyed and so grateful to be home with Brooke; however, my heart continued to ache for the babies and families we left back in the NICU. I could not get them off my mind. I missed the connection and purpose I found in gifting other NICU families backpacks, so I founded Brooke’s Backpacks Inc.

“Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost oats of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me., and your right hand shall hold me.” - Psalm 139: 7-10

“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.” - 2 Corinthians 4: 16-17