Our Story

Baby Ryan was deeply loved and eagerly anticipated from the very moment we knew of his existence. His name came to us shortly afterwards, with a certainty few things carry. We knew he was Ryan Michael Barber and we knew we would love him forever. We talked to him and about him every single day. We had plans for him, we had hopes and dreams for his future. We couldn't wait to meet him.

39 perfectly healthy weeks later, we found ourselves dealing with the breathtaking pain of his unexpected loss. Our lives were forever changed and our hearts were irreparably broken. Rather than celebrating our new addition, we found ourselves grappling with the loss of our sweet baby boy. 

With the support and love of our friends and family, we've made it through some of the hardest weeks of our lives. We have a long road ahead as we adjust to our new normal, but we are enormously grateful to everyone who has helped in any way, who has shared kind words, who has cooked meals for our family, or who has offered a shoulder to cry on when the grief becomes too much. Please know that you have touched our hearts and lives and we could never fully express our gratitude. 

To honor the memory of our son and to continue his legacy of spreading happiness and joy, we are planning to build a new play structure and restore the pool & splash park at Graceada Park in Modesto, California. Guided by Ryan's big sister Brooke, who loves this playground and loves to swim and splash, we hope to create a physical space that will honor Baby Ryan while also providing our family with a place to remember our sweet baby boy.