Her NICU Baby Was Fighting to Live—She Almost Gave Up Hers 💔

They say becoming a parent changes everything.

What they don’t say?

Sometimes… ‘everything’ includes your will to keep living.

I was 20.
My baby was 2 pounds.
And I was ready to give up.

Until one text—with a stupid little heart emoji—changed everything.

 

On December 18th, Tara Williams became a mom.
By March 15th, she almost wasn’t here to be one.

This is the unfiltered, emotional story of a 20-year-old NICU mom navigating postpartum depression, medical bills, isolation, and total exhaustion—until a text from her boyfriend’s mom changed the trajectory of three lives.

India, born 10 weeks early, weighed just over 2 pounds.
Tara, still bleeding, still healing, returned to work after two weeks.
Kobe, India’s dad, took on three jobs to pay the bills.

And somewhere between breast pumps, hospital alarms, and 3AM Google searches like “Does my baby hate me?”—Tara began to believe that her daughter would be better off without her.

But as Tara sat on the ledge of a parking garage, ready to give up, her phone buzzed. One message. One emoji. One person who didn’t look away.

This episode is for anyone who’s ever felt invisible in their pain.
For the ones who smile through survival.
For the ones searching for a reason to keep going.

You don’t have to fight alone.

TW: This episode contains real stories of postpartum depression and suicidal thoughts. If you or someone you know is struggling, please call/text 988 or text HOME to 741741. You are not alone.