MENTOR, Ohio — In 2018, Misty Florek started working at medical device company, Steris, of Mentor, and felt rather sure of her future.
"Never wanted kids," Misty said.
That is, until she met her wife, Paula Recene.
"She changed my heart," Misty said.
"I always wanted to be a mom, and I think I just was waiting for the right person to share my life with," Paula said.
The two were married in 2020 and began a journey of IVF. Misty, the person who didn't think she was destined to be a mom, chose to carry the baby.
"We loved her before we even got to meet her and never knew that could exist," Misty said.
Then, at 23 weeks, a routine scan at a local hospital changed everything.
"We knew she definitely had some heart issues," Misty said. "They just knew she wasn't compatible with life."
"It's so scary because this little bean I loved already so much we were facing possibly having a funeral for," Paula said.
Yet, the two never gave up hope. Paula's experience as a labor and delivery nurse encouraged Misty to get a second opinion at the Cleveland Clinic.
"They did our scan and everything and said, 'This is fixable. We see this all the time,'" Misty said.
Their baby girl Indigo had a number of heart issues
"Her actual diagnosis is a variation of Tetralogy of Fallot, which is five different structural things wrong with the heart," Paula said.
But 16 months ago, she fought her way into this world.
"I was crying. I was pinned down, but it was just great to have her face up against mine and actually finally get to see her and meet her," Misty said.
She's endured two open heart surgeries and has a long road ahead. However, she's happy, thriving and the love of her parents' lives.
"I love her to death, and I just love that she picks up a lot of stuff that she learns so fast," Paula said. "I just love to hear her say, 'mom, mommy, mama.' She's just so sweet."
Misty and Paula credit the health care heroes at Cleveland Clinic for saving Indigo's life. And, the American Heart Association, for which the two now advocate and educate to honor their daughter.
"Some people just don't know. And it's wonderful to be able to open up their minds to the information that they can receive and get and use and to help save lives," Paula said.
Misty and Paula will be participating in the American Heart Association's Heart Walk on Saturday, September 28. If you'd like to participate, click HERE for more information.
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