Nikki DeLoach is opening her heart about the profound way her 8-year-old son’s health battle has changed her forever. The beloved Hallmark star shared a deeply moving Instagram post reflecting on her son Bennett‘s journey with congenital heart defects and how it taught her to treasure even the smallest moments in life.
Getty“The ordinary made extraordinary,” DeLoach began her emotional post.
DeLoach Says Her Son’s Heart Is Strong but May Need Future Repair
“When you go through a life and death health crisis with a child, you are instantly made aware upon diagnosis, that life is not guaranteed. From that moment on, that grab you by your soul type of awakening, changes you down to your cells.”
She continued, “The ordinary becomes extraordinary. Baseball games. Playground hangs. School drop-offs and pickups. Friday night movie night. Bedtime hugs and kisses.”
The actress shared that while Bennett’s heart is strong today, she knows the reality of his condition means future care will be needed.
“We have been so so lucky. Bennett’s heart is strong. One day it will need repair again. But not today. I wouldn’t wish a health crisis on anyone. It’s a nightmare. But as @steve_leder says, ‘If you’re going to walk through hell, you better not come out empty-handed,'” she wrote.
DeLoach Closed Her Post With a Powerful Message About Love & Gratitude
“And I haven’t. My eyes will forever be fixed on just how lucky we are to wake each day, with oxygen in our lungs. To grow and learn. To bear witness to the lives of my children, husband, family and friends. To pay attention and care about humanity. To adopt puppies. To love and be loved.”
DeLoach closed with a powerful reflection on what she carries with her every day.
“My hands are so very full. Full of gratitude. Humility. Empathy. Lessons. Miracles. Love. And it’s also full of ordinary moments that will forever be extraordinary. 🙏🏼✨”
DeLoach Called Her Son ‘a Superhero’ in an Emotional Essay
Bennett’s health crisis began before he was even born. Five months into her pregnancy, doctors told DeLoach her son had several heart defects and would need open heart surgery within days of his birth.
“With each appointment before he was born, I left more defeated and more concerned that my baby was not going to be able to survive that first surgery,” the actress told People in 2025.
The appointments grew increasingly difficult until they met with Dr. Vaughn Starnes at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
“By the time we got to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and saw Dr. Vaughn Starnes, I was sitting on the floor because I was so anxious. And he just came in and said, ‘I know how to fix your kid’s heart.’ I came undone emotionally; it was the first time we had a sliver of hope,” she shared.
DeLoach penned an essay for People in 2017 about what carried her through the darkest moments.
“There were two things that kept me going: my family and my faith. My son put a smile on my face every day no matter how upset I was and I had faith that everything was going to work out for the highest good of all. I truly believed that,” she wrote.
She added, “This experience, while certainly the most difficult and terrifying of my life, has been the most transformative and inspirational. I gave birth to the strongest, most mighty human I’ve ever known. He is a superhero. He is a marvel of God. He has renewed my faith, helping me to remember that anything is possible. He has taught me that I am stronger than I ever knew possible.”
Apart from Bennett, DeLoach also shares sons Hudson, 12, with husband Ryan Goodell. For DeLoach, every ordinary day with her kids is the greatest miracle of all.
