When our daughter M was born at just 25 weeks, our lives changed forever. We were suddenly living in the world of the NICU-surrounded by alarms, tubes, and fear-trying to understand how to be parents to a baby fighting for her life. At the same time, we were also navigating a devastating diagnosis of kidney disease and the physical toll of an emergency delivery. We felt overwhelmed, heartbroken, and completely alone. We had no family nearby. It was just the two of us, trying to stay strong for our tiny daughter while struggling to stay upright ourselves. And then, we met Nurse Chandy.

From the very beginning, she didn't just provide expert care, she wrapped us in the kind of compassion and steadiness that only someone with a truly giving heart can offer. She volunteered to primary for M, a choice that changed everything for us. In a world where so much felt unknown, Chandy became our constant. She chose to come back to care for our daughter, shift after shift, and that one act of love meant more than words can express. She treated M like she was her own-with tenderness, respect, and such gentle care. She made a beautiful welcome sign for her bedside; something so small, but it touched us deeply. In that moment, someone saw our daughter not just as a patient, but as a person. It was the first time we felt like someone else was rooting for her the way we were doing. Chandy helped us find our place in the NICU. She patiently guided us through kangaroo care, reassuring us as we held our baby for the first time, even when we were terrified of hurting her. She answered every question, explained every beep, and never once made us feel like we were in the way. Instead, she made us feel like we were there. Like we were doing a good job. Like we were a family worth fighting for. And that's exactly what she gave us, family.

With no relatives nearby, Chandy filled a space that was missing in our lives. She became a source of comfort, encouragement, and strength. On the hardest days, when the fear and exhaustion were too much, her calm presence grounded us. On the days we found reasons to smile, she smiled with us. She never treated us like "just another family," she treated us like her family. She listened, she cared, and she reminded us-without saying a word, that we weren't alone. Chandy gave us so much more than nursing care. She gave us the courage to keep going. She gave us permission to feel joy in the midst of struggle. She made sure Malia was safe, and she made sure we were okay, too.

There are people in this world who leave a lasting imprint on your heart. Chandy is one of those people. We are forever grateful to her for how she loved our daughter, and how she held us up when we felt like falling apart. She is everything the DAISY Award stands for-clinical excellence, selfless compassion, and the kind of presence that truly changes lives. All our love and deepest gratitude.