Happy Friday: Devoted to Dylan
Sent from reader, Jen:
I’ve written to you a couple times before about good deals that I’ve found, but I wanted to say thank you again and show you what I’ve been doing with the deals you’ve shown me. My husband and I had a beautiful baby boy last August. Dylan faced many struggles and we said goodbye on Oct 17th, after only two short months. (This is the VERY abbreviated story) Our son has inspired us to do so much more than we ever imagined.
We formed a March of Dimes team, Devoted to Dylan, and raised over $33,000 and finished 9th in the country. And with coupons, I have been buying shampoo, toothpaste, etc and making family care packages to donate to our local Children’s hospital (where Dylan was SO wonderfully cared for) that I’m calling Devoted to Dylan Family Packs. I just wanted you to know that you are helping me create these packs in honor of our sweet baby and wanted to thank you. I know that you like to post happy/upbeat stories on Fridays and I thought this was a good one 🙂
* For more about Jen’s story, check out her blog or click here.
HAPPY FRIDAY! 😀
Do you have a funny, “Hip”, or unique photo to share?! Email us at happyfriday@hip2save(dot)com. Every Friday, I will post one photo, submitted by you and/or another Hip2Save reader, that gives us a glimpse into your frugal lifestyle or simply makes us smile. If your photo is published on Hip2Save, we’ll email you a $10 Amazon e-card!
** Check out all of the previous Happy Friday pictures here.
Such a beautiful story!
i agree…im certain he is proud of you! life is too short and precious!
WOW- thank you so much for sharing! What an amazing and touching story!!
(((hugs))) that is amazing! im sure your son is VERY proud of his mommy & daddy!
Wow! This is amazing! I will definitely check out the website. My daughter was born with the cleft palate as well she recovered after surgery. My prayers are with your family. Very grateful that you can look beyond your situation to help others.
My son was born with cleft lip and palate, as well. You have so much strength and im sure no i KNOW dylan would be so proud of you!
I admire people like this who can go through something so heart wrenching and turn it into something where they are helping others. Reading this brought tears to my eyes. Hugs to Jen!
Wow, it is inspiring how she has turned a such a tragic loss into something positive. Thank you for sharing your story.
What a brilliant way to give back!! My sister has a terrible autoimmune disorder and after seven knee surgeries, chemo, and a long bed rest (which we didn’t know if she would make it), she’s up and walking again and back to her normal self! We’ve given presents and dvds to the children in the wonderful Immunology and Cancer center, but I totally need to get my sister into coupons to help make these bags and place them in the family room at the hospital!
I’m so sorry for your loss. You and your husband remind me of those wonderful parents to baby Avery. Her parents just tried to let their child see as much life as she could and she passed away way soon than expected. You and your husband are incredibly strong people!
Such an inspirational story!
What an inspiring story! May your family always be blessed with love and happiness. Im sure your baby boy is so happy to see how much you have helped the other families at his hospital. 🙂 God bless.
What an inspiring story! I’m sure your baby boy is looking down on you smiling with pride!
Thank you for sharing this story. Jen, you and your husband are truly an inspiration for turning something challenging into doing good for others! You are rich in spirit. God Bless!
What an amazing story. Thank you for sharing Dylan in such a warm and special way. Praying God’s blessing on your family!
Doesn’t matter what age you are, so still can create a legacy. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Jen, you already know how much I love you. Dylan is so so so very proud of you and Patrick! We love you! Thank you for all that you do! xoxo
Truly Inspiring!!
Thank you for sharing your story. Jen and Patrick, you are truly amazing parents and Dylan was so blessed to have you as parents.
By far- the best Happy Friday post! 🙂 Very touching and inspiring!
You are an inspiration. I am so sorry for your loss, but I am sure your son is in heaven saying what amazing parents he has!
Amazing people. Thank you for sharing your story
<3
AMAZING!!!! Very inspiring to others! So sorry for the loss of your sweet boy. He is sure proud of his mommy and daddy. God Bless!
I am actually crying right now. What a touching and beautiful story.
I was just doing the same. Very inspiring story. Thank you for sharing.
beautiful – amazing – Thank You!
“I know that you like to post happy/upbeat stories on Fridays and I thought this was a good one.”
This isn’t happy and upbeat, it made me very sad. But it’s still a great story 🙂 Sorry about your baby.
Doesnt seem upbeat or happy but it is. To overcome loss in such a beautiful way is very happy and inspiring! We all experience loss but not all can do it with such strength, grace and with a positive outlook! I understand what you mean. I also understand why this is SUCH a happy and positive story. <3
Thanks for sharing your life with us. Truly touched me as I am fixing to have a baby in October. I can only hope I would have the courage/love that you have shared with others after such a traumatic event. God has a precious angel with him. God Bless your family.
As a fellow preemie parent, I commend you for all you are doing. Your son has left an amazing legacy. You are an inspiration to me. “Even the smallest person can change the course of the future.” Thank you for sharing and feel free to email me if you need or would like any coupons. Or to talk with someone who knows about life in a NICU. Tlgtharen at gmail.com.
amazing amazing story
thank you for sharing and for the inspiration
So sorry to hear of your loss, but you are an inspiration as you continue to live your life to the fullest and to give back. We need more people like you in this world!
My son was also born in August of last year. You have such strength to turn around a situation that is hard on the heart and help other hearts. You are a wonderful person! I am so sorry for your loss.
You are such wonderful people, to turn your tragedy into a triumph and carry on your son’s memory is truly wonderful. God Bless.
So sorry for your loss. You are a true inspiration. God bless you both.
This is an amazing story and what a strong mommy Jen is. I am also from Wisconsin like Jen and her family and am so excited to hear how positive and how much strength that she and her husband has.
You are an inspiration. My son was born in September of last year. While reading your blog I had to stop because I had tears that I couldnt see through. My little boy is on the floor playing next to me and I thought how hard it would be to not have him. I am so sorry for your loss that there are no words that will even come close. You are a wonderful mom. keep up the good deeds. I never met your Dylan but I will never forget him.
I share your feelings Lisa. I couldnt finish reading the blog either. Interesting how such a sad story could also be SO beautiful and inspiring at the same time.
so true!
I had tears I couldn’t see through too… my 5 month old son is asleep next to me. I couldn’t imagine not having him and I feel almost like I’m grieving the loss of Dylan for her because I couldn’t imagine not having my own son in my life. I am so grateful to have him.
Truly an amazing story about very special people!
Wow, what a great way to minister to others in need. Thanks for being a blessing!
What a beautiful little boy and a very inspirational story. I’m sure many families will be touched by your generosity. We only spent a wk in the NICU w/our dtr, but I would have loved a care package like this~
Wow! That is an amazing story! Thank for sharing!
Amazing! My husband and I lost our son 5 years ago and now we are filled with nothing but happiness for having had him in our life for the very short time that we did. For the first couple of years after we lossed him things werent so easy tho. I think you and your husband are amazing for giving back, but doing it after a loss (a fairly recent one to top it off) makes you a hero in my eyes. Keep staying strong and keeping his memory alive through you and your husbands love for each other and Dylan. All of those families at the hospital, and myself, are grateful and very proud of you! <3!
Thank you for posting this Collin!
Thanks, Collin, for shining a light on such a strong, courageous woman — an angel on earth with an angel up above. Truly inspirational reminder that all life is precious and purposeful.
Yours is a truly amazing story of strength and the love that can come out of a tragedy. I am sure that Dylan was an exceptional spirit to have inspired so much. Your story brings tears to my eyes because everything you have done speaks volumes of the deep love you have.
I’m so sorry for your loss but I thank you for sharing this inspiring story. It truly touched me.
I am crying right now. You are an inspiration, Jen.
You are such a wonderful person for doing all that you do to help others! My heart goes out to you and your family. You will hold that sweet baby boy again some day 🙂
Love this. What a precious, beautiful boy.
What a sad, happy, insperational story! Thank you both for sharing!
What a wonderful way to help others & honor Dylans memory at the same time! Thank you for sharing your story.
Jen, you, DH and Dylan are an inspiration to us all. Much love, as always. <3
This just made me tear up, I’m so sorry for your loss
You are one of the strongest women I’ve ever heard of jen.
God bless you. Thanks for sharing.