As soon I learned that you could connect the curves of letters together to form a story I started writing them down, filling up notebook pages with adventures and adjectives.
I dreamed of being a writer and I dreamed of being a mom.
I did not dream of having a baby born at 25 weeks but I did anyways, because sometimes the way dreams come true looks nothing like a fairy tale. Sometimes it looks like antiseptic and tiny arterial lines and prayer.
I am incredibly honored to be serving as one of 39 moms (representing the length of a full-term pregnancy) joining the March of Dimes as an ambassador for their #imbornto campaign. Because In the United States one baby is born prematurely every minute.
One of those babies was mine.
The #imbornto campaign believes that every baby is born to do something special and unique and it aims to be a celebration of their parents, the moms and dads who keep them healthy and safe, both before and after birth.
I was born to write and I was born to be Scarlette’s mom. And both of those things have become intertwined in a more beautiful story than any I had ever imagined. And what started out small and fragile and broken became my passion and my healing and my love.
I don’t know yet what Scarlette was born to do but I know that she inspires me every day. I know that it mends me to talk of the hope hidden in the darkness of prematurity and I know that it is such a gift to be able to share her story.
I feel overwhelming grateful that she is here to help me tell it.
The #imbornto campaign aims to give back through giving with partnerships with some wonderful brands and I’d love for you to join me tomorrow (Thursday, May 7th) as I help host an #ImBornTo Twitter Party with @TheMotherhood at 1pmEST – we will be giving away two gift baskets (featuring beautiful prizes from the March of Dimes’ partners Alex & Ani, Bon-Ton, Kmart and Mud Pie) and three $25 Visa gift cards during the chat! You can RSVP for the twitter party here (follow me at @kaylaaimee – I LOVE twitter parties!)
One of my favorite campaign partners, Mudpie, coincidentally happens to the the maker of the outfit I dressed Scarlette in to celebrate the one year anniversary of her NICU homecoming! How cute is this throwback photo of my sweet baby? Look at those cheeks!
I’ll be sharing how we celebrated this year soon (and showcasing some of the beautiful partner products!)
Martha Stewart Living, Bon Ton, Mudpie, A&E Jewelers, eBay Giving Works, Blue Rhino, Kmart, ALEX AND ANI, and more are all offering some fantastic deals when you shop through them and your purchases will benefit the March of Dimes. Visit www.imbornto.com to see all of the partner promotions and find some wonderful gifts to celebrate mothers and fathers on Mother’s Day and Father’s Day (and every day) alongside the March of Dimes and it’s partners.
Disclosure: This is a sponsored participation with March of Dimes and TheMotherhood.com, shared here as this is a cause close to my heart. All opinions are my own.
