My heart warrior is 16. 💗

It’s been quite a while since I’ve been the “new” heart mom like so many of you are right now.

We were beyond excited to be pregnant with our first baby — a girl. My pregnancy was wonderful, with no complications. Every scan and test came back perfect. MaryKate was born a beautiful 8-pound baby girl at 8:00 pm via C-section, and for a brief moment, everything felt exactly as it should.

Until it wasn’t.

She was quickly whisked away due to fluid in her lungs and monitored overnight in the NICU. While watching her pulse oximetry readings, doctors noticed something concerning — the readings on her fingers and toes didn’t match. That led to further testing and, in the middle of the night, an echocardiogram. We were reassured that she seemed to be doing okay and that this was likely just to rule out her heart.

The next morning, our world stopped.

We were told MaryKate had a life-threatening congenital heart defect — Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return (TAPVR) — and that an on-call cardiologist would be there shortly. The day became a blur of conversations about open-heart surgery and how to prepare our newborn baby girl. We were shattered.

Later, we learned she was considered “best-case scenario” and would be able to go home, grow stronger, and prepare for open-heart surgery at just three months old. Taking our baby home was terrifying — yet she thrived. She remained healthy and stable, and on October 8, 2009, MaryKate underwent open-heart surgery. The surgery was successful, and she has been thriving ever since.

For the past 16 years, we have been part of the heart community — supporting, advocating, and walking alongside other heart families. Through Amazing Little Hearts, MaryKate grew up attending heart parties with fellow heart warriors, forming lifelong friendships and memories. Those gatherings became more than celebrations — they became a place of belonging, understanding, and joy. We built a close-knit group we lovingly call our heart family.

Today, MaryKate is a junior in high school, driving (yes, that still amazes me), and living life to the fullest. She has been an active Girl Scout since kindergarten — and yes, she’s still selling cookies! 🍪 She rides on the Girl Scout equestrian team, Tejas Riders, active in FFA (showing a lamb) and continues to follow her love for horses. She is also a proud Make-A-Wish recipient, and we continue to give back by volunteering whenever we can.

Most recently, MaryKate was nominated as an American Heart Association Teen of Impact for Dallas 2026 — a full-circle moment that reminds us why advocacy and awareness matter so deeply.

We have been blessed with many healthy years. MaryKate continues with annual cardiology visits to monitor scar tissue as she grows, and we never take a single year for granted.

After 16 years on this journey, I can promise you this: the days are long, but the years are short.

To my fellow heart moms — encourage your heart babies to be active, involved, and to give back. They are capable of more than you can imagine, and their stories will help pave the way for the next generation of heart warriors.

From one heart mom to another — you are not alone. ❤️

Shelley Ratcliff, MaryKate’s Mom, since 2009