As the Ladybug Flies… A Beautiful Connection Takes Flight

November 18, 2025

Sometimes life brings people together in ways that feel too aligned to be coincidence. This is one of those stories.

A while back, I met Liz at Barre3 Issaquah. She’s from Ohio, I’m from Washington, and our worlds maybe shouldn’t have crossed - but they did - and I am grateful in more ways then I can count.

Liz, a real estate agent, partnered with Trista, born and raised in Bellevue, Washington, to build their real estate business, Trista & Liz - whose mission is rooted in the message “Love where you live.”

Somehow, after a Barre3 class, our worlds intersected: me, the founder of FeelLinks and a longtime Ladybug 🐞 House volunteer, and Liz, happened to strike up a post Barre3 class chat.

We chatted about my work as the founder of FeelLinks and my volunteer role with Ladybug 🐞 House, a Pacific Northwest nonprofit supporting families with children facing life-limiting illnesses, end of life care and loss. Our most recent project was creating and leading a bereavement retreat for eight mothers - one of the most meaningful and heart-wrenching projects of my life.

Not long after our conversation, Liz pieced together that she had heard of Ladybug 🐞 House from her friend in Ohio, Sam’s Fans nonprofit founder, Nikki McCarthy. And that’s when the most incredible connection revealed itself:

Nikki's nonprofit, Sam’s Fans, founded in memory of her daughter, Samantha, had provided a grant to Ladybug House. The two nonprofits not only share similar missions - they share the ladybug 🐞 symbolism.

That meaningful link is what led Liz to tell me about Nikki - and the nonprofit she and her husband Dan founded: Sam’s Fans.

About Samantha Jane & the Mission of Sam’s Fans

Samantha Jane McCarthy was a bright, joyful girl - the oldest and only daughter in her family. At age six, she was diagnosed with Fanconi Anemia, a rare blood disorder. Despite her illness, Sam lived a full, vibrant childhood filled with friends, sports, creativity, and joy.

At age 10, Sam underwent a bone marrow transplant. For the next 14 months, she fought bravely until her passing on October 15, 2009. Her spirit, strength, and positivity continue to inspire everyone who knew her.

During Sam’s time in the hospital, music and art therapy brought her tremendous comfort and healing. Wanting to honor their daughter’s joy and resilience, Nikki and Dan founded Sam’s Fans in 2015 to bring music and art therapy to seriously ill children and their families across Ohio and Southwest Florida.

Since then, Sam’s Fans has delivered countless hours of creative therapy - bringing hope, connection, and moments of joy to families facing unimaginable challenges. Their belief is simple and powerful:

When children feel better, they heal better.

Why This Connection Matters

Hearing about Samantha - and Nikki’s history with Ladybug 🐞 House - moved me deeply. I have walked beside dear friends whose children battled illness or were taken far, far too soon. My heart is fully tied to supporting families going through the unimaginable fight, pain, and grief.

When Trista and Liz asked to meet about how FeelLinks might partner with their real estate business - and how they could give back while bridging two places in the country they love so much bring together - the connection felt even more meaningful.

And now, this connection is ready to take flight.

Our Collective Impact

After learning more about FeelLinks, Trista and Liz sent Nikki an Ultimate FeelLinks Bundle to explore - and she loved it - immediately recognizing how meaningful it would be for the families they support.

Today, as the ladybug 🐞 flies...

Trista and Liz have initially donated 40 FeelLinks Ultimate Feelings Sets to Sam’s Fans, offering emotional support tools to children and families navigating incredibly difficult times.

A chance meeting.

A ladybug 🐞.

Mommas on a mission.

Nonprofits connected by love, legacy, and purpose.

And a ripple effect that continues to grow.

Dear Trista and Liz,

Thank you - from the bottom of my heart. Your generosity has become a powerful thread in this story, weaving together families, nonprofits, and hearts across states. Your donation is an act of compassion that will touch lives in ways we may never fully see, but will always deeply feel. We’ve stomped through the woods scouting sites for Ladybug House, and you’ve met some of the people who have drawn me so close to this mission - connections that will forever link us. I am truly, forever grateful.

xo, Marcelle