Meet my son, Ben

I never expected a butterfly to become my lifeline. On my daily walks with my goldendoodle, a swallowtail began to appear. At first, I thought it was just coincidence, but when it followed me from fencepost to fencepost, I wondered—was it really following me? The next day I looked for it, and there it was. Each day I anticipated it with a sense of hope and curiosity. Would my butterfly friend really come back again? And every time, she did. Then one Sunday, as I walked out the church doors, the butterfly brushed right against my face—I’m certain I felt its body on my nose. That moment jolted me awake. I knew I needed to understand what this meant. When I studied the symbolism of butterflies—transformation, resilience, freedom, and even the nearness of heaven—I realized it was no ordinary encounter. It was a message. At the same time, my son Ben was living with a strength and intensity all his own. He was fearless—an adrenaline junkie who could backflip off a tightrope stretched across a lake, cliff dive into raging rivers, or attempt belly flops that made everyone laugh. He was magnetic, protective, and brave. Everyone was his friend, and he wouldn’t tolerate bullying for a second. But beneath his courage, humor, and daring spirit, Ben carried battles no one could see: PTSD from childhood trauma, night terrors that left him afraid to sleep, relentless anxiety, and a fear of pills that brought back painful memories. He fought with everything in him—therapy, hospitals, countless treatments—but the weight of adulthood and responsibility left him gasping for hope. On July 16, 2022, my beautiful son passed through the veil. He fought with a strength that was nothing short of incredible, right up until his last breath. Losing him shattered me. Yet in the midst of that darkness, the butterflies didn’t stop. They appeared for me, for my husband, for Ben’s friends, and even for strangers—as if to remind us that Ben was finally free from pain. Those wings became more than a sign. They became a mission. Butterfly Hero was born to honor Ben, and to carry forward the messages that symbols can hold. Though it began with the butterfly, our journey has grown—into the sun, the elephant, the infinity sign, the ribbon—each with its own meaning, each a reminder that speaks to hearts in times of struggle and loss. Every product we create is more than just an item. It is a symbol, a lifeline, a conversation starter that tells someone they are not alone. Ben’s story did not end with his passing. His fearless spirit, like the swallowtail, continues to press on my heart, urging me to carry hope forward. His life, his courage, and his love are now part of something bigger—a legacy that I pray will touch others in their darkest moments and remind them that there is still beauty, still freedom, and still light after the hardest storms. Butterfly Hero is his legacy—and a beacon of hope for every soul still fighting.