Redacted Infertility sucks, and trying to get pregnant is the loneliest journey I've been on. It's easy to feel empty inside because I can't have the one thing I want more than anything. But then, I met Lindsay, and I realized that the deep compassion of another person was enough to fill that void and feel somewhat whole again.

I met Lindsay during one of my initial appointments for IVF. I immediately noticed three things about her: One, she had a positive, goofy, and judgment-free energy that was contagious. Two, she would give me all the time in the world if I needed it. And three, she already cared about me even though we just met.

Every nurse I've encountered at Strong Fertility has been kind to me, but Lindsay went beyond that. She never acted like this was her job, but, instead, that helping me was something she genuinely wanted to do. She always greeted me with a calm smile and a "Hi, my friend," and she always left me with a warm hug that reminded me that I would be okay.

She was sensitive to my ever-changing emotions during this process, and she knew exactly what I needed at any given time. Sometimes it was her answering my laundry list of medical questions, and other times it was her distracting me with a conversation about tattoos or crime podcasts.

For all of these reasons, I asked her if she could be there with me for my first egg retrieval and my second implantation, after my first implantation failed. Without hesitation, Lindsay told me she would be there. And she was. She didn't have to show up for me, but she did, and that's something I'll remember for the rest of my life. She made me feel like I mattered and that she would never let me go through this alone.

After my implantation, we shared a meaningful conversation about how some people are just meant to be in your life. I'm convinced she was meant to be in mine. I'm still on this long fertility journey, and I don't know what I will get out of this experience when it's all over. But I know at the very least I gained someone special in my life, and I am forever grateful for that.

My hope is to one day be able to invite Lindsay to my baby shower and tell her that, because of her, I made it. Lindsay embodies all of the characteristics of an extraordinary nurse and all of the qualities of an amazing human being. She creates a safe space for women of any background to feel loved and empowered.

Ironically, Lindsay is likely too humble to expect this type of recognition, but I hope this award can be one of many reminders that hearts like hers can perform miracles. The DAISY Award was designed for nurses like Lindsay, and I truly believe she is most deserving of it.