28 years ago, a young girl was getting ready for school, when her whole world came crashing down.  It was discovered that she suffered a stroke, which was brought on by a condition known as Restrictive Cardiomyopathy.  As if that was not enough to take in, she was told she would need a heart transplant, before she could leave the hospital.  Three months later, she got the news she had prayed for, a heart was available and on its way.  

As I believe you have figured out by now, that young girl is my wife, Tanya.  Through the incredible gift of organ donation, Tanya got a second chance on life.  She went on to graduate from Rutgers University and enjoyed a short career in finance, before following her heart into nursing.  Tanya currently works in the Cath Lab at Jersey Shore Medical Center, where she gives back every shift to those who need her, just as the nurses at Columbia University Medical Center did for her decades ago.  As if that were not enough, Tanya realized her dream of becoming a mother to our beautiful daughter Emilia.