The Schmidt Family
Two brave hearts, two extraordinary journeys, and a family holding on to hope, love and the promise of brighter days.
Our story
Our family’s story has been shaped by two very brave little hearts. Hannah spent nine months in the hospital before receiving her lifesaving heart transplant in October 2024. Just as we began learning how to live with her new heart, our son Hudson’s heart journey took another difficult turn. After cardiac arrest and open-heart surgery, Hudson is now listed for a heart transplant. Through it all, these two kids have taught us what courage, faith and hope truly look like.
What the weekend would mean to us
A weekend at the ranch would be so much more than a getaway—it would be a chance for our family to make memories that have nothing to do with hospitals. Our children have spent so much of their childhoods surrounded by monitors, medications, procedures, doctors and waiting rooms. Hannah has fought incredibly hard and is growing up with a donor heart, while Hudson is currently waiting for the call that could save his life. For one weekend, we would love to put all of that aside and just watch our kids be kids. We want to hear them laugh, let them get dirty, explore, play, stay up a little too late and make the kind of carefree memories that every child deserves. As their mom, I would love nothing more than to step back from the fear and uncertainty for a moment and simply soak in my family. After everything Hannah and Hudson have endured, a weekend of wonder, laughter and togetherness would be a gift we would carry in our hearts forever.
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If an entry that comes through The Schmidt Family’ link wins the national final, The Schmidt Family win a free two-night stay at the ranch — whatever happens in their own bracket.