Hudson's Light

07/24/2026

The things people say don't hurt nearly as much as the reason I have to speak up in the first place.

I'll never understand how people can be more uncomfortable with advocacy than they are with impaired driving itself.

Grief made me loud.

And I refuse to apologize for that.

07/20/2026

Some people see a couple having a Sunday date.

What they don't see is that our date is at our son's grave.

Every Sunday, Justin and I spend time with Hudson the only way we can. These are moments we should be spending chasing him around a playground, reading bedtime stories, or watching him grow.

Instead, we visit the place where his body rests because an impaired driver made a choice that stole his future.

This is why Hudson's Light exists.

Not to dwell in tragedy, but to remind people that impaired driving doesn't just take lives. It steals birthdays, first days of school, family dinners, Sunday afternoons, and a lifetime of ordinary moments that families should never have to lose.

If this video makes even one person hand over their keys, call an Uber, or stop a friend from driving impaired, then Hudson's story continues to make a difference.

Please. Don't drink and drive.

💙

07/14/2026

Hudson should be here.

There are days when the grief is overwhelming, and there are days when the anger feels just as heavy.

Because the truth is, Hudson's death was preventable.

It didn't have to happen.

One year ago, an impaired driver made a series of choices. He chose to drink. He chose to use drugs. He chose to get behind the wheel. He chose to drive recklessly. And in a matter of seconds, those choices stole my best friend, took my son before I ever got to hear him cry, and forever changed our lives.

That reality fills me with an anger that will never fully disappear—not because I want to live in anger, but because that anger fuels my purpose.

I carry that anger because it points somewhere. It reminds me why I refuse to stay silent. Hudson's life pushes me to speak up, to fight for change, and to say, over and over again, that this cannot keep happening.

Impaired driving is 100% preventable.

If you've been drinking or using drugs, don't drive. Call someone. Use a rideshare. Sleep where you are. Hand over your keys.

If someone you love is about to drive impaired, don't stay silent. Take the keys. Make the call. Be the person they're angry with for one night instead of the person grieving them for a lifetime.

One choice can destroy countless lives.

Accountability matters. Prevention matters. Every single choice matters.

I will always carry Hudson's light, and I will keep saying the hard truth: this was preventable. His life mattered. Jen's life mattered. And that is why I will never look away.

07/13/2026

Today, on Hudson's first heavenly birthday, I have one simple request.

Please do one act of kindness in his honor. ❤️

Justin and I started our day by returning to Hartford Hospital—the place where Hudson was born. We dropped off a basket filled with gifts for a mom welcoming her baby today. We included items for both mom and baby, along with a note letting them know that this gift was given in loving memory of our sweet Hudson.

While we couldn't bring our own baby home from this hospital, it means so much to know that another family might feel a little more loved because of him.

Hudson's light continues to shine through kindness, compassion, and love. We hope you'll help us keep that light going today by doing something kind for someone else, no matter how big or small.

If you do, we'd love to hear about it or see a photo. Thank you for helping us celebrate our beautiful boy by making the world a little brighter. 💙✨

07/13/2026

Happy 1st Heavenly Birthday, my sweet Hudson.

I don't have the words today.

You should be here. You should be smashing cake, opening presents, laughing, and reaching for me when you need your mom. Instead, I'm wondering who you would have been and missing the life that was stolen from you.

One whole year without you. Three hundred and sixty-five days of loving you, missing you, and wishing with every part of me that this wasn't our story.

I hope Heaven is celebrating you the way we ache to celebrate you here.

I'd give anything to hold you one more time.

Happy birthday, my beautiful boy.
I love you forever. 💙

💙

07/13/2026

𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝟏: 𝐀 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

Tomorrow should be my son's first birthday.

It should be a day filled with celebration, love, and laughter. Hudson should be doing a cake smash, ripping open presents, and playing with all of his new toys. We should be singing "Happy Birthday" to a little boy with frosting all over his face.

Instead, time stands still for Hudson.

He will never grow older. He will never celebrate another milestone. He will never have a birthday earthside.

Today was filled with a celebration touched by sadness.

Our family gathered to celebrate Hudson's first heavenly birthday. We visited his grave, decorated it with balloons, and blew bubbles into the summer sky. We shared a beautiful cake made just for him, set a place for him at the table with his high chair and birthday hat, and asked everyone to write a message to Hudson in a copy of Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star. Those handwritten notes will become one of our most treasured reminders of just how deeply our sweet boy is loved.

It wasn't the birthday party we dreamed of planning. There was no cake smash. No wrapping paper scattered across the floor. No giggles filling our home.

But there was love.
So much love.

I'm endlessly grateful for every person who showed up today, who spoke Hudson's name, who celebrated him with us, and who made sure his first birthday was filled with the one thing we can still give him—our love.

For the last 30 days, I've shared pieces of Hudson with all of you. His red hair. His kicks. The songs he loved. The dreams we had for him. The signs he sends me. His story.

My greatest fear has always been that the world would forget my son.

But because of all of you, I know that won't happen.

Thank you for following this countdown with us. Thank you for reading, sharing, commenting, crying, remembering, and saying Hudson's name. Thank you for loving him right alongside us. You have helped ensure that, even though his life was far too short, his story continues to touch lives. His light continues to shine.

Tomorrow marks 365 days since I became Hudson's mom. It also marks 365 days of loving him, missing him, and wishing for just one more day.

Happy almost first birthday, my sweet boy.

Mommy and Daddy love you more than words could ever say. 💙

07/12/2026

𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝟐: 𝐍𝐨𝐚𝐡 𝐊𝐚𝐡𝐚𝐧

When I was pregnant, Hudson loved listening to Noah Kahan. Every time She Calls Me Back came on, he'd start moving.

Since losing him, Noah's music has taken on an entirely different meaning. The lyrics have held me through some of the darkest days of my life.

Seeing Noah in concert tonight was both heartbreaking and healing all at once. I found myself smiling through tears, wishing more than anything that you were here beside me.

And I think Hudson worked a little bit of his magic for his momma tonight. We originally had obstructed-view seats, but before the show started, we were upgraded to incredible seats with a perfect view of the stage. It felt like one of those little moments that made me smile and think, "Thanks, buddy."

I brought you with me tonight, Hudsy. I hope you were singing along.

07/10/2026

𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝟑: 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐇𝐮𝐝𝐬𝐨𝐧'𝐬 𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭

One of my friends asked me this weekend, "𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘥𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘶𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 13𝘵𝘩? 𝘋𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘶𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭, 𝘵𝘦𝘹𝘵, 𝘰𝘳 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦?"

Honestly, that is such a thoughtful question. When someone hasn't experienced this kind of loss, there isn't a handbook for how to show up. The fact that they cared enough to ask meant so much.

Truthfully, I don't even know how to navigate this day myself. It's a reality I wouldn't wish on anyone. I'm trying to look at July 13th as a day to celebrate my baby boy's first birthday, while also carrying the immense sadness that comes with missing him.

Justin and I have chosen to honor Hudson by continuing to share his light with the world through acts of kindness. On Monday, we'll be returning to Hartford Hospital to meet with the social worker who cared for me after the crash. We also made a gift basket in Hudson's honor that will be given to a new mom welcoming her baby into the world on his birthday.

This is where we'd love your help.

Wherever you are this weekend or on July 13th, do one act of kindness in Hudson's honor. Pay for someone's coffee. Leave an encouraging note. Donate to a local food pantry. Hold the door. Let someone merge in traffic. Call someone who's been on your mind. It doesn't have to be big—kindness never is.

Then, if you're comfortable, share your act using so we can see the ripple effect Hudson is creating. I know I'll never get to watch my son change the world the way I dreamed he would. But through each of you, his light can continue to shine, one act of kindness at a time.

Thank you for helping us celebrate our sweet boy's first birthday by making the world just a little brighter.

07/10/2026

𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝟒: 𝟑𝐃 𝐔𝐥𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝

One of my favorite memories from my pregnancy with Hudson was seeing him at our private 3D ultrasounds.

We actually went twice and, true to his personality, Hudson wasn't very cooperative either time. He kept his hands in front of his face, rolled away from the camera, and made us work for every little glimpse. Looking back now, that just makes me smile.

Even with his stubborn streak, it was one of the most incredible experiences. Watching him yawn, stretch, wiggle, and move around inside me made everything feel so real. For a little while, it felt like we were getting to know our little boy before we ever got to hold him.

These videos and pictures have become some of my most treasured keepsakes. They're moments I'll never get back, and I'm so grateful we chose to capture them.

If I'm ever blessed with another pregnancy, a private 3D ultrasound is something I'll absolutely do again. There is nothing quite like seeing your baby before you meet them.

🎥 Here's a little peek at our sweet, camera-shy Hudson:
https://youtu.be/pbE585YbWLo?is=EEcaVQ-oMyPBwJST

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