Willie's Warriors

10/16/2026

Seven years ago today, our beautiful little girl, Wilhelmina Louise Hovlid, earned her angel wings.

At 6:20 a.m. that morning, we made the hardest decision we have ever faced as parents. We chose to let our sweet girl take the lead and begin her journey toward Heaven’s gates. There is no way to prepare your heart for a moment like that. Every instinct as a parent tells you to hold on, to protect your child, and to never let them go. But sometimes, the greatest act of love is finding the strength to let go, even when every part of your heart is screaming for just one more moment. We had to put our sweet girl’s needs before our own desire to keep her here in pain. It was a decision no parent should ever have to make, and one that has forever changed who we are.

At 7:47 a.m. on October 16, 2019, our beautiful little girl, Wilhelmina Louise Hovlid, peacefully took her final breath in our arms and earned her angel wings. She was surrounded by love and by the people whose lives she had touched in her precious time here on earth.

There are some losses you don't simply move on from. You learn to walk with them. You learn to breathe around them. You learn to carry the love and the pain together.

And now, we find myself walking toward other families who are traveling down that same dark road. We sit beside them. We listen. We hold space for their pain. We tell them the things we wish someone had told to us when our world fell apart.
We tell them they don't have to carry it alone.
We trust that God is holding our daughter now, in the place where we could no longer hold her. We believe she is safe. We believe she is free from pain. And we hold onto the faith that one day, when our time comes, we will see her again.Until then, we will keep living here for her. Because we lost our little girl, but we will never lose her name. WILHELMINA
We will say her name out loud. WILLIE
We will tell her story, to anyone who wants to listen.
We will keep her memory alive. WILLIE'S WARRIORS
We will make sure the world knows she was here.

As a parent we're not supposed to bury our own child. We're never supposed to watch our child fall into a darkness we cannot pull them from.
I am a father, I am supposed to fix things.
That's the only job I've ever known. When something breaks, I fix it.
I am a mother, When someone is hurting, I make it better. When my child needs me, I am supposed to be there.
But this...
We can't fix this.
God had a different plan for her and us.
And that is the part we're still learning to accept.
We would give anything for one more chance to reach for her. One more hug. One more conversation. One more day where we could hear her voice, see her smile, and tell her how much we love her.
She had so much life left in her. So much love left to give. More love than this world had even begun to understand. She was a fighter, defeated many battles in 98 days. She wasn't supposed to be taken from us. We were supose to bring her home. Watch her grow. Watch her play with her siblings. Listen to them argue and fight over stupid stuff. Then watch them make up. She wasn't done here. But God felt she did what she needed to do here on earth.
She taught us how to be brave. She taught us patience. She taught us a kind of love that changed us forever, brought our family together tighter than before.

We don't want to forget her.
And we don't want the world to forget her either.
We want people to know her name. We want them to know her story. We want them to know the beautiful person she was, the love she carried, and the mark she left on the lives of everyone who had the privilege of knowing her. Because we didn't just lose a daughter, our kids lost a sister, our parents lost a grandchild, our siblings lost a neice. We lost our little girl. We all lost a friend. We all lost a part of our heart. We lost a piece of ourself that we can never replace.
We would give anything to have her back.
But until the day we can hold her again, we will carry her name with pride. We will tell her story. We will speak of her with love. We will keep saying her name, even when it hurts, because saying her name means she is still being remembered.
Every breath we have left will carry a piece of her.
She is our daughter, she us our kids baby sister. That she will always be. And no matter how many years pass, no matter how much time separates us, she will always be a part of us.
We didn't get enough time with her.
But we will spend the rest of my time making sure the world knows that she was here.
That she was loved. That she mattered. That she still matters. And that her family will never stop loving her.

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Team Wilhelmina! Willie’s Warriors! Gone to soon! Forever our angle baby!

10/13/2026

**Willie’s Warriors is honored to support another wonderful charity, Sarah's Smile Of Illinois.**

Sometimes, life brings people together in ways we never could have imagined. Looking back, it’s hard not to see God’s work in the connections He creates and the paths He brings together.

We had known Sarah’s parents for years through a church we visited numerous times throughout the year. Although we had crossed paths many times, we never knew the deeply personal story behind their family or the incredible work they were doing in Sarah’s memory. It wasn’t until we attended a fundraiser to support a family going through a tragedy that we discovered this special connection. As we began talking with the founders of Sarah’s Smile of Illinois, we realized we already knew them. What followed was a conversation that touched our hearts in a way we never expected.

Sarah passed away from cancer a year before Willie passed away. The following year, while Willie was in the NICU, Sarah’s Smile of Illinois donated Halloween costumes to the very NICU where Willie was staying. At the time, we had no idea that this family we already knew had made such a meaningful impact in the very place where Willie was receiving care.

One of the most touching parts of this experience was seeing Sarah’s three boys and the rest of her family actively involved in the organization, from setup to tear-down. Seeing them work together, giving their time and hearts to help others while honoring Sarah’s memory, was truly inspiring. Sarah left behind a family whose love for her continues to shine through the compassion and kindness they share with others one smile at a time. It is heartbreaking to think about the loss their family has endured, but it is also beautiful to see how they have turned that pain into a mission that brings smiles, comfort, and hope to other children and families. Their dedication is a powerful reminder that love does not end with loss; it continues through the lives we touch and the good we do for others.

At Willie’s Warriors, we understand how important it is to turn heartbreak into purpose and use our experiences to help others. We are grateful for the opportunity to support Sarah’s Smile of Illinois and stand alongside a family whose mission reflects the same desire to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

**Sometimes, what may seem like a coincidence is a reminder of God’s work in our lives.** Our paths crossed years ago, and only now have we discovered just how deeply our stories are connected. We may not always understand why certain things happen when they do, but moments like this remind us that even through tragedy, God can bring people together to share love, offer hope, and make a difference.

We are truly honored to support Sarah’s Smile of Illinois and the beautiful legacy Sarah’s family continues to build in her memory.

Together, we can continue honoring our children’s memories by spreading kindness, bringing smiles to families, and making a difference in our community—one child, one family, and one act of love at a time.

***esWarriors

10/11/2026

Wi***es Warriors are Supporting another great charity. Sarah's Smile Of Illinois. Small world after talking with the founder's and their family. We came to realize they donated halloween costumes to the NICU the year Willie was there.

08/29/2026

Every year, the Chicago Institute for Fetal Health throws a family reunion at Brookfield Zoo. And, while this has become a wonderful tradition for our family, I can't help but feel the sadness that comes with the thought of the person that's missing. The person we are here representing isn't here. Bittersweet, to say the least.

Remembering you today, Willie.

08/22/2026

Willie’s Warriors recently hosted their annual Celebration of Life fundraiser in honor of Wilhelmina “Willie” and raised an amazing $4,537.61 for the NICU at Lurie Children’s.

With the support of dedicated volunteers, generous donors, talented musicians, local businesses, and community members, the event brought people together to celebrate Willie’s life while helping future NICU families receive the care and support they need.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this meaningful day possible and for continuing to honor Willie’s legacy through generosity and community! 💙

08/06/2026

That's a wrap!

Celebration of a Life Fundraiser 2026
After taking two years off, we came back with a bang.
Thank you to everyone who helped make this tribute to our little warrior possible!

This year they gave us a cute keepsake check to take home. ❤️

07/15/2026

We're still waiting on a couple of business donations before we give the final numbers raised. We do know that we are still short of our $10,000 goal.

We're going to hold our fundraising page open for the rest of this week. If you missed the event, but wanted to be there, or if you're just seeing this for the first time, there is still opportunity to give.

Our fundraiser raises funds for the NICU, the neonatal intensive care unit, at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago . This is the unit that cares for critically ill infants, newborn (often premature) to about one year old. Care ranges from breathing assistance to a machine that oxygenates blood And returns it to the body. Wild, I know.

Lurie Children's is a not-for-profit hospital that guarantees the most advanced care for every child, despite financial status. They're also a teaching hospital, educating future medical specialists. For example, our case was studied by neurologists from Rush, which helped lead to safer surgeries on brain aneurysms.

But care doesn't just stop at all the medical stuff. There are support groups and Parent Wise volunteers for parents and Child LIfe Specialists that come alongside families to make the experience understandable for older siblings. They do things like bring you a voice recorder that the nurses play, so your baby can hear your voice when you're not there. The "Book Fairy" hands out books that you read as a kid for you to read bedside. They become your friends and family when you're there for months without yours.

Every dollar we raise means best-in-the-country care for these infants, our tiniest fighters.

Thank you for supporting these little warriors!

Please share!

Help me reach my fundraising goal for Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago! Your gifts help change the lives of patients and families.

07/14/2026

To everyone who joined us for Willie's the Warriors, celebration of life event thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your love, support, and generosity. Your presence made the day incredibly special.

If you weren't able to attend, or if you'd still like to help us reach our fundraising goal, there's still time to make a difference. Every donation, no matter the amount, helps support the amazing work being done for children and families, and it means more to us than words can express.

Thank you for standing with Willie, believing in our mission, and being part of this journey with us. Together, we can make an incredible impact.

Donate here:
https://events.luriechildrens.org/community-fundraising/willies-warriors-2026?fbclid=IwVERDUATCa5BleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR6yChcvolhmhfOgWc7TkegAUnPee5nXOXKuAidkDGUOh_alOBWac-gr2QKVyA_aem_JAYKduQeK3RnBTUnIJFhVA

07/14/2026

What an incredible event! Photos to come in the next day or so.

I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to everyone who helped make this event such a success.

To those who volunteered their time for setup on Friday evening and Saturday morning, thank you. Your hard work and willingness to help laid the foundation for a wonderful day, and we truly could not have done it without you.

To all of our volunteers who gave their time throughout the event, thank you for your dedication and commitment. Your efforts kept everything running smoothly and ensured a positive experience for everyone who attended.

A heartfelt thank you to our talented musicians who shared their gifts and helped create such a welcoming and enjoyable atmosphere throughout the day. Your performances brought so much energy and joy to the event, and we are truly grateful for your time and talent.

We are also deeply grateful to our generous donors who contributed baskets, products, and services. Your kindness and support played a significant role in the success of this event, and we truly appreciate your generosity.

A special thank you goes to our teardown and pack-up crew. Your willingness to stay late and ensure everything was cleaned up and put away is a testament to your dedication, and your efforts did not go unnoticed.

Finally, I would like to offer special recognition to Jeanette Willie's mother. Year after year, she brings incredible vision, creativity, and countless hours of hard work to this event. Her passion, leadership, and unwavering commitment are instrumental in making this event what it is today. We are incredibly grateful for everything she does, and her dedication continues to inspire all of us.

It truly takes a community to make an event like this possible. Thank you to every volunteer, donor, musician, supporter, and attendee who helped make the day so special. Your generosity, dedication, and community spirit are what make this event such a meaningful success. We are already looking forward to next year!

07/11/2026

Off to a great start!