Giving birth at 24 weeks is no small feat. It was the toughest hurdle in my life that I had to face. At the time I had my son, his father and I didn't know many people who shared our unique experience. I would read many of my favourite childhood stories to him during our skin to skin, but negative thoughts would always seep in. I'd question if he would ever be able to make it out of the NICU. I wrote this story to provide encouragement and solace to families who are journeying, or have journeyed, through the NICU. I wrote this to celebrate all of the milestones, like weaning off of the breathing tube or being able to take an extra ml of breast milk. I wrote this in the hopes that you would think of your own experience in the NICU with fondness instead of fear.

- Alisha