On February 26, 2025, our world stopped.
My husband, Brian, passed away suddenly from a heart attack at just 49 years old. No warning signs, no prior symptoms, no chance to prepare. In an instant, I lost my partner, my best friend, and the love of my life. Our five children lost their dad. The kind of loss that changes everything.
Brian was strong, hardworking, and full of life. He was proof that even when things are hard, you keep showing up. You keep loving fiercely. You keep believing that difficult things can be done.
That belief is what’s carrying me forward now.
This year, I have been given the incredible honor of running the Chicago Marathon on behalf of the American Heart Association, in Brian’s memory, and in support of a mission that now means everything to our family.
Why Chicago Matters So Much
Brian was a die-hard, lifelong Chicago Cubs fan. He wore the hats, watched every game, talked about Wrigley Field like it was a sacred place. And yet, heartbreakingly, he never made it to Chicago. He never stood inside Wrigley. He never saw the city he loved from afar.
In a beautiful moment of serendipity, this marathon allows Brian to finally make it to Chicago.
With every mile I run, I’ll be carrying him with me. His love of life, his resilience, his unwavering loyalty to the Cubs, and the legacy he leaves behind. It feels like everything is colliding in the most meaningful way: love, loss, purpose, and hope.
Brian’s story is a reminder that this can happen to anyone. And it’s why supporting the American Heart Association matters so deeply.
A Family Journey
I hope to bring our five children with me to Chicago so they can be part of this moment, to see their dad honored, to witness strength rising from heartbreak, and to feel how love continues even after loss.
If you feel moved to give, donations will support:
The American Heart Association and its life-saving work.
If you’re feeling extra generous, visit my GoFundMe to help with travel, lodging, and related costs so our children can experience this moment alongside me. Copy and Paste this: liink https://gofund.me/f09436ac3
Every contribution, big or small, helps turn grief into purpose and ensures Brian’s life continues to make an impact.
Thank you for helping us honor a man who loved deeply, lived fully, and believed that hard things can be done.
This run is for Brian.
This run is for our children.
This run is for every heart still beating and every heart beat that remembers those who we've lost.
