A little origin story 💜

Two summers ago, Lottie had a planned surgery in early June. All went well and the goal of the surgery was accomplished! As the incision healed over the next couple weeks, we noticed the site appeared increasingly irritated. At first, we were told it could be a typical part of the healing process.

However when Lottie developed a fever and was very clearly uncomfortable, we contacted her surgeon who got us to the PICU immediately.

Lottie spent 10 days in the hospital undergoing procedures and tests, and recovering from an infection that had developed in her incision. My husband, Steven, and I took turns making the hour and a half drive to stay with Lottie and being at home with our two younger children.

During this hospital stay a little seed was planted. At the time, it was just an idea. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with it. I thought maybe I would do something about it when my children were older (I was pregnant with our fourth child at that time, so I knew my opportunity may be a long way off 🤭).

While Lottie was sleeping one day, a nurse brought me a small gift bag. I assumed it was something for Lottie, but she said it was for me. The nurse explained that a family of one of the hospital's patients donates them for parents. There were some snacks, a refillable cup, a coloring book and some colored pencils… nothing crazy but it made me smile and feel seen.

I remember thinking, "We could do this." (FYI: Steven loves when I insert him into my ideas by saying "we" 😜).

It took a couple more years and few more hospital stays, and some other life events but here we are… trying to provide other families with that same feeling I was gifted when a perfect stranger (I will most likely never meet) gave me small token that lifted my spirits during a very difficult time.

A lot has led us to this point, but this specific experience will always stand out to me.

We hope you will follow along, share, and help us continue our mission as Love Like Lottie pays it forward! ❤️