Aleczander 2003-2023
Jade's Story
I think I’ve always been a mother at heart, long before I ever had children of my own. I welcomed my first son, London, at just 18, and motherhood quickly became both my greatest responsibility and my greatest joy. By 24, I was married and welcoming my second son, Aleczander, into a beautiful life we had built together.
Our home was filled with laughter, love, and spontaneous adventures. Whether it was skipping school for donuts and ice cream, taking an impromptu road trip, or spending the day curled up watching movies, we found happiness in simply being together. My boys were even by my side as I chased my dream of opening a coffee shop in our hometown.
Life wasn’t something we had to fight to enjoy. It just was. We had each other, and somehow that made everything feel possible. I was carefree, happy, and certain that the beautiful life we were building would always be ours. Looking back, I miss that version of myself almost as much as I miss the innocence of the life we once knew.
Alec's Story
Aleczander lived ten beautiful years, and somehow managed to fill them with more personality, laughter, and love than most people could ever imagine. As a little boy, he was wild, fearless, and hilariously mischievous—the kind of child who could make you question every parenting decision you’d ever made while also busting up laughing. And as he grew, so did all the beautiful parts of who he was. That wild, larger-than-life personality never disappeared, but alongside it grew a gentleness, a thoughtfulness, and a heart that seemed to have room for everyone.
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He became the most compassionate and beautifully unique little soul, loving fiercely, caring deeply, and always finding ways to make others feel included and important. He was unapologetically himself, from his knee-high mismatched socks and rainbow hair to his bright colored outfits and unforgettable, wide-open mouth laugh. He was brilliant, creative, and passionate, teaching himself to code and create video games filled with little messages of kindness and encouragement. He’s my spoiled, sweet, affectionate mama’s boy. Alec had a way of making the world feel brighter simply by being in it.
Our lives revolved around him, and we wouldn’t have had it any other way. He is our greatest joy, the heart of our family, and a light that continues to live in everyone who loves him
Life After...
For a long time, every morning felt like waking up to a nightmare that never ended. I opened my eyes to a world I no longer recognized, a life I couldn’t imagine wanting without the little boy who had been the center of mine. Losing Alec didn’t just mean losing my son; it felt like losing everything we had ever known. My marriage of 15 years ended, our family was torn apart, we lost our home, and even the business we had built together slipped away for a time. Everything that once felt safe and familiar was suddenly gone.
As the days turned into weeks and the weeks into months, the nightmare didn’t disappear, but slowly it became a little less frightening. I began to realize that if I wanted to feel close to Alec, I couldn’t spend the rest of my life in the darkness. He was sunshine, laughter, kindness, and love. To find him in the world around me, I had to find those things again, too.
Life has since brought beautiful new beginnings. I welcomed Alec’s little brother, Rome, whose face, personality, and hilarious spirit remind me so much of him. I found love again, remarried, and built a beautiful home. I’ve watched London grow into a young man his little brother would be so proud of. And somewhere along the way, I began finding pieces of myself again.
But there isn’t a single day that I don’t imagine Alec here beside us. What he would say, what would make him laugh, what he’d want for dinner, or how we’d celebrate his next birthday. I carry him into every moment, every milestone, and every new chapter of our lives.
Alec spent his ten beautiful years making people feel loved, included, and important. I believe his work in this world is far from over. Through The Thread Between, I hope to continue the kindness he gave so effortlessly, reaching families who need to feel seen, heard, and cared for.
I haven’t learned to live without Alec. I’ve learned to keep living with him, just in a different way. And wherever life takes me, I will forever be his mommy.