A boy born with half a heart in North Texas has helped keep his family together. His mother now hopes their journey will inspire others to live life to the fullest.

Lady Tomlin was born with only half a heart, but she lives life to the fullest.

In his family’s backyard, he plays baseball and jumps on the trampoline.

His mother, Holly Tomlin, said: “For someone with a half-hearted heart, he was very loving.”

At the age of 7, he has already undergone three open heart surgeries. The first incident occurred when he was just a week old, having been born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome.

“[It’s] “He had a severe congenital heart defect and basically the entire left side of his heart never formed,” Holly said.

He also wanted to be adopted and was being cared for by a Children’s Health nurse who was ready to expand his family.

“I remember the night he became available for adoption, knowing he needed a home,” Holly said. “In fact, I said to her husband, ‘I think he’s supposed to be my child.'”

Two years ago, Holly lost her ability to have children due to ovarian cancer. When Reed became a patient, her family was discussing the possibility of adoption.

“I’ve cared for many patients with the same heart condition, and I’ve seen many patients who needed adoption who just sat and waited,” Holly said.

The Tomlins took Reed home as a foster parent when he was 10 weeks old and finalized the adoption a year later.

“He completed our family. He was a very special person and forever changed our lives in so many ways,” Holly said. “That’s what God wanted us to do.”

Through her role as a Pediatric Cardiologist NP, Holly continues to counsel families who are currently facing the same anxieties from the perspective of a mother who knows the challenges and joys.

“While we are not entirely sure what will happen in the future, [Reid] What is that like?” Holly said. “Honestly, our faith is what sustains us and he reminds us to live each day as if it were our last. It taught me to live to the fullest.”