Founder Stories: The Beginning of Understanding Why the Little Things Matter
We’re starting a new series called Founder Stories, once a month, we’ll share a story from our family’s journey and the experiences that helped shape the mission of the Babygirl Foundation.
Some stories are big moments. Others are memories that seemed ordinary at the time but mean so much more when we look back.
During one of our many trips to the Emergency Department, Addison was probably about five years old. She hadn’t been feeling well, and what started as a late-night trip to the ED quickly turned into multiple tests and hours at her bedside.
My husband and I sat in uncomfortable chairs beside her, trying to get a little rest while we waited.
By the time we were finally admitted to the pediatric floor, it was around 3 a.m.
We got as settled as we could. I curled up in the hospital bed with Addison while my husband tried to sleep on the pull-out chair beside us.
We had nothing with us. We were still wearing the clothes we had arrived in. No toothbrush. No toiletries. No clean underwear. No change of clothes. We hadn’t planned to stay, we had simply brought our sick little girl to the Emergency Department.
The next day, my husband had to leave the hospital, drive home, pack a bag, and bring back everything we would need for what had unexpectedly become a hospital stay.
Looking back now, maybe we should have seen a little foreshadowing of where our journey would eventually take us.
Because years later, these are the moments I think about when we stock the Babygirl Foundation Parent’s Closet.
When we put a clean sweatshirt, toiletries, underwear, socks, or other basic necessities on those shelves, we know exactly why they matter.
We know what it feels like to arrive at the hospital expecting to be there for a few hours and suddenly realize you aren’t going home.
We know what it feels like to sit beside your child in the middle of the night with nothing but the clothes you walked in wearing.
And we know that when your entire focus is on your child, something as simple as a toothbrush, clean clothes, or a few comforts from home can feel like one less thing you have to worry about.
This is why we do what we do. The Parent’s Closet isn’t just about clothing and toiletries. It’s about giving a parent one less reason to leave their child’s bedside.
It’s about dignity, comfort, and letting families know that someone thought about what they might need, too.
Our journey with Addison taught us that sometimes the smallest things can make the biggest difference.
And today, we get to turn those lessons into support for another family walking through an unexpected hospital stay. 💛
Founder Stories | Our journey. Her legacy. Our mission.
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