Brandy Barkey Sweeney was pregnant with her third child when she learned she had peripartum cardiomyopathy and would need a heart transplant. The diagnosis made her wonder if she’d get to watch her children grow. But when she got the call that someone had decided to donate a heart, her life was changed forever. Now, she’s there for all of her children’s firsts—and she’ll be there for their seconds, too.

“I will always remember the excitement on my oldest son’s face when he rode the bus for the first time,” Brandy says. “I’ve been able to attend his first day of school, his first field trip, and his first tee-ball game, to name a few. With each milestone I feel blessed by God, overwhelmed with emotion, and grateful for my donor and donor family.”