I met Nicole Harper Gill in 2013 when I started a job at Gator’s Dockside. She was pregnant with her first baby. She was a sweet girl, beautiful, and was great at her job because she understood people and was so good at talking to them. We grew to know each other and appreciate each other as coworkers as the years went on and we became close friends somewhere along the way in the midst of rude customers, spilled beer, walk-in freezer venting sessions, football, and good ole fashioned girl talk.

Things changed in 2018 when we both found out we were pregnant with our second babies in the same week. We spent the next 9 or so months watching our bellies grow together, bouncing baby name ideas off each other, and helping with each other’s baby showers. She became something so much more to me in those 9 months. She became the most truest and closest friend I had ever had in my life. I consider being able to share that bond with her one of the biggest blessings I’ve ever received in my life. We went on to give birth to baby boys 2 weeks apart and we’ve been like family ever since.

I give you that history to let you know that I know Nicole. She’s one of the most hardworking women I know, who raises her sons to be respectful, kind, and loving. She is a dedicated mother and wife who doesn’t ask for anything but is willing to give her everything for the people she loves.

This past September, she found out her youngest son Landon had a severe coarctation of the aorta. After months of appointments, tests, words and diagnostics that sound like another language to a terrified parent, the doctors gave her the option of doing a catheterization stint in his heart or letting him go about his life hoping one day, he doesn’t suffer from heart failure. It’s hard to even type that out without tearing up, I can’t imagine what it was like to have to hear it about your child.

This has been extremely difficult on Nicole and her family. The stress of not knowing what the right thing to do is yet being the one to have to make the decision is a struggle every parent knows. Landon is set to have the surgery later this month and will have a 6-8 week recovery period and Nicole is having to step away from her day job for this time to take care of him. As you can imagine, there have been thousands of dollars already spent and that number is only growing in the coming months. To relieve some of the financial burden that comes with this, I’d like to ask for any donation that anyone would like to contribute to help this family. Nicole herself would never ask but I know there are people who want to help. ANY contribution is greatly appreciated and if you cannot donate funds, PLEASE donate your prayers. Prayers for a safe surgery, for a peaceful mind, for strength, and for a 100% recovery. Thank you all for taking the time to read this far and thank you to all who send $1 or a prayer.