Our Journey to the Plant
After finding out I was pregnant, I immediately contacted my OBGYN to share the exciting news after a long journey of trying to conceive. During our first doctor’s appointment, we were offered genetic testing. Neither my husband nor I had any concerns since we had no known genetic issues in our families. However, due to my age, I agreed to the testing, hoping to confirm—sooner rather than later—that we were blessed with a little girl.
A few weeks later, while I was at work, I received a call from the geneticist. She informed me that there was an 86% chance that our baby had a genetic abnormality deemed incompatible with life, and she recommended termination. The news initially knocked the wind out of me, but I managed to ask one question—the only question that mattered to me—the gender of our baby. She reluctantly confirmed it was a girl. I thanked God in that moment for giving me the desires of my heart—a daughter. I thanked her for calling, hung up, and immediately called my husband, asking him to come to my office. We cried and prayed together, and with encouragement from a supportive colleague and friend, we decided to trust our faith and proceed with the pregnancy, believing that our baby would be born healthy, beautiful, strong, and intelligent. I spoke life and affirmation to her every day of my pregnancy.
Our doctor was not supportive of our decision, and the medical system made the pregnancy incredibly challenging. We had to undergo weekly tests and ultrasounds, constantly reminded of what they believed to be a bleak prognosis. Despite this, we remained steadfast in our faith.
The pregnancy was tough, with morning sickness lasting the entire time, and my emotions were a roller coaster. However, I found solace in vivid dreams of a little girl running through a green field, which I took as confirmation that my daughter would thrive.
Close to my due date, my doctor reiterated the option to terminate, suggesting they wouldn’t try to save my daughter if complications arose during birth. I firmly rejected this and insisted they do everything to save us both. After a challenging pregnancy, our daughter was born and spent two and a half weeks in the NICU. Despite initial medical concerns, she defied the odds and began to thrive.
Six months later, after the sudden and tragic loss of my sister, I found myself dreaming of the little girl running through plants again, but this time I took it as something more. I was being led to connect to plant medicine for my daughter and myself through our journey of grief, postpartum, healing, and faith. As I continued to educate myself about alternative healing and traditional medicine, I began incorporating various plants and herbs into our lives—particularly lavender, which has become a cornerstone of our skincare products, among many others.
Today, my daughter Ila Queen is a strong, mighty, and amazing little girl who will turn five years old this year. To this day, I continue to speak life into her and believe in her potential to walk, talk, and thrive, affirming her strengths daily.
Our story is one of faith, perseverance, and the incredible healing power of nature. This journey inspired the creation of Aye & I Apothecary, blending traditional herbal wisdom with modern science to nurture, heal, and rejuvenate.
Thank you for joining us!