I met Aislinn about a month into our NICU stay when my premature daughter was transferred to the peds unit. Like all of the other nurses we encountered, Aislinn took exceptional care of our new baby. However, what really set Aislinn above the rest and what makes her the perfect candidate for the DAISY Award is the care she gave ME. I was really beginning to struggle mentally as a NICU mom. It was becoming overwhelming driving back and forth to the NICU multiple times a day on top of trying to care for myself postpartum, my 4-year-old daughter, and occasionally my niece, whom I babysit. When we would visit, Aislinn would ALWAYS go above and beyond to take care of ME. She always made sure I was fed and would help keep the two older girls busy so I could focus all of my attention on the new baby during our visit. It was like she could read all of my worries on my mind because she always said the right things to reassure me and help my “mom guilt” without me having to say anything. She gave the best encouraging pep talks. She even let me cry in her arms a time or two. Whatever I needed, she was there for me without me ever having to ask. Prior to meeting Aislinn, I was in “survival mode,” and was really starting to question how I was going to get through this difficult phase as a NICU mom. After meeting her, it was like a weight had been lifted off of my shoulders. She made me feel like everything would be okay… and she was right. Fast forward a few weeks to when we got to bring our new baby home, and I couldn’t be any happier. I will never forget Aislinn and her kindness and will forever be grateful she came into my life when she did.