We are Heart and Sole - Meet Christy Beckham

We are Heart and Sole - Meet Christy Beckham

Written by Christy Thursday, February 09 2012

A LOCAL business Sponsor, a friend and a part of the Heart and Sole Family.

I am Christy Beckham and this is what Heart and Sole means to me.

My company generously donates to many events in our community that are important, but none that hit so close to home as Heart & Sole did to me. You see, 5 years ago I didn't have children of my own yet but I did have the world's most beautiful niece and nephew. I remembered the excitement that I felt when my niece Madison was born just weeks before my 20th Birthday. She changed my life forever for the better and I had no idea that I was capable of loving something so much. The impact of her birth was critical in me making better decisions in my own life. Children have a way of bringing out the best in everyone.

So I'm sitting in my office and our receptionist asks me if I can help this young lady on the phone. Stacey's voice sounded enthusiastic and you could hear her determination and strength in seconds. She began by telling me about the 5k she was planning along with an evening event. It sounded ideal for our company and I said we would be glad to participate in some level. I then asked about Heart & Sole. Stacey began by telling me about sweet Bowen and the impact that amazing baby had made on her life. She, like me, made changes in her life because of the birth of her sisters daughter but in a totally different way. I had a healthy child to rock, hold & love, she had a mission to help Bowen's memory change the world for other babies in need.

Stacey and I became instant friends. We had lunch to make arrangements for product and goodie bag treats. The event came and it was wonderful. There was a huge turnout for both the 5k and the evening event. My husband and I were out of town and I sent a co-worker that had a fabulous time. Then Stacey called again.

When she called after the event, she asked me to come to the check presentation at the Children's Medical Center. She had all the details perfected in petit fours with the Heart & Sole trademark shoes, yummy lemonade & a giant check to present. Before they handed over the check, people spoke and people cried. I cried. You could see on Stacey's face & her family's faces, how therapeutic this event had been. There was a purpose for their sadness and pain to somehow be funneled into something so positive and rewarding. Bowen's doctors spoke of the brave little girl that had inspired others to change the world. It was an incredible check presentation.

Every year Stacey calls, emails & sends sponsorship packets to make sure we are planning to support this cause, and of course we are! I receive the most personal Thank You notes from people involved with the event, the board, family and friends. Everything comes back to the special touches that makes me think of a tiny baby that changed the world. She heals hearts.

Years later, I had my baby girl. When she was 7 months old, she was very sick and they put her in the PICU at the Children's Medical Center. While we were scared and overwhelmed, we were comforted by knowing that we were in a magical place. I thought of Bowen.

Thank You to everyone that supports this incredible cause. I am so proud to be a small part of it.