Millie is the bright, spirited inspiration behind our story. Diagnosed with bilateral moderate to severe sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) at just 4 months old, she began wearing her "magical ears" hearing aids at 6 months and hasn’t looked back since. The first in our family with hearing loss, Millie has shown us all what it means to be strong, resilient, and joyfully unstoppable!

Full of sass and sparkle, Millie is the epitome of a girly girl—she loves dressing up, doing her hair, experimenting with makeup, and twirling in her favorite dresses. Her days are filled with dance parties, painting sessions, story time, and giggles with friends. Her imagination is as big as her heart, and her zest for life shines through everything she does.

Millie reminds us daily that hearing loss is just one part of her story—and a beautiful one at that!

A former special education teacher turned Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), I’ve spent my career supporting children and families—yet nothing fully prepared me for the day we learned our daughter, Millie, was diagnosed with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. That moment changed everything.

Since then, my journey as a mother has been one of learning, growing, and deepening my connection to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community. Our family has embraced American Sign Language, connected with incredible advocates, and leaned into every opportunity to better understand Millie’s world. Her strength and spirit have been my greatest teachers.

This book was born from a place of deep gratitude and love. Inspired by the kindness, inclusion, and joy fostered in Millie’s first preschool classroom, I wanted to capture and share that same spirit with others. My hope is that this story opens hearts, sparks understanding, and celebrates the beauty of every child—just as they are!