Our son Barrett entered the world at just 26 weeks and 3 days, weighing only 481g - barely over 1 pound. After weeks of high-risk OB appointments for a severe intrauterine growth restriction, we were told Barrett had a better chance of survival out of the womb than in. From the very beginning, the odds were stacked against him. His lungs were underdeveloped, his body was fragile, and every breath was a fight. We were immediately thrust into a world we never expected—a world of uncertainty, alarms, and fragile hope. Every day was a balance of fear and faith, living minute by minute, prayer by prayer, hoping our baby would survive -- surrounded by families praying and hoping the same for their little ones. Barrett spent 403 days in the hospital split between RNICU, COA NICU and COA pulmonary. In that time, he faced more challenges than we could have ever imagined. He battled severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia, pulmonary hypertension, countless infections and what seemed like setback after setback. There were moments when he made progress, only to take 5 steps backward—times when we felt hope rise and then shatter again in the same day. We watched our tiny baby endure surgeries, transfusions, and procedures no child should ever have to face. There were nights when we didn’t know if he would make it to morning and moments when we wondered if we should stop fighting. But Barrett never stopped fighting. His strength, even in the most fragile moments, reminded us that miracles still happen and that God’s hand was over him every step of the way. In April, Barrett underwent a gtube and tracheostomy procedure. After 403 days, Barrett finally came home. He came home on a ventilator, with a trach and G-tube, still medically complex but surrounded by love, faith, and a family who had waited so long for that moment. Coming home didn’t mean the challenges were over—it meant a new chapter filled with appointments, machines, and round-the-clock care—but it also meant laughter, snuggles, music, and milestones we once feared we’d never see. Today, Barrett is thriving. He smiles, giggles, dances, and brings light into every room he’s in. He’s a living, breathing miracle who has already taught us more about perseverance and faith than we could ever teach him. When we look at how far Barrett has come, we know it’s because of the people and organizations who have paved the way for babies like him—especially the March of Dimes. Their dedication to advancing maternal and infant health, funding lifesaving research, and supporting NICU families creates hope where it once seemed impossible. Programs like their NICU Family Support initiative remind parents like us that we are not alone—that there is a community fighting for families just like ours. We are honored to serve as the 2026 Alabama Ambassador Family for the March of Dimes. Sharing Barrett’s story is a way to shine light into the dark places so many families find themselves in. It’s a story of resilience, faith, and the power of love. But it’s also a story of what can happen when people come together to fight for the tiniest lives. Because of organizations like the March of Dimes, babies like Barrett not only survive—they thrive, inspire, and show the world that miracles are real.