My journey with Melissa began in July 2020 during the pandemic. I came to the OB ED around 1 am in a lot of pain, scared of the unknown that comes with having your very first baby. She was quick to ease my worries and take care of me with exceptional care. 

I remember looking at Melissa, telling her numerous times I hoped my doctor would come in. She began to smile but said we will just have to wait and see who walks in, moments later, in walks my doctor. Between Melissa and my doctor, they are my dream team. 

Melissa always eased my worries and doubts about whether I could do this. During the pandemic, obviously, having no visitors or familiar faces was scary enough, so having her and my husband by my side every step of the way was exactly what I needed. Skip three years, and I’m having my second boy. I told my dad and my mom that I would not be able to have an easy, comfortable delivery without her again. 

After three years, I could not remember Melissa’s name. I remembered everything about her but simply not her name. I asked my dad to please find out for name. I had to know, I had to have her again. 

Time continued to pass and we found her name, I wrote her a letter and praying she would receive it. Her coworkers surprised her with it and she reached out to me and my heart sank. There she was. The most humbled, gifted and compassionate nurse I could ever hoped for. 

After setting up my induction date for my second baby boy, she informs me. She WILL be working for my delivery and immediate tears just rolled from my face. 
She blessed our lives so well three years ago and she did exactly that again in July of 2023. If anyone deserves an award, I put it on my whole heart that it is her.