Today is a day of celebration for the Deason family of Hoover, Alabama. Olivia Grace “OG” Deason turns four years old—a milestone that once felt impossible, but now shines as a testament to faith, resilience, and love.

Born three months premature and weighing just 1 pound, 1 ounce, OG entered the world impossibly small, fragile, and fighting for every breath. Doctors knew her journey would be filled with challenges, and indeed, it has been. She has battled digestive issues, endured countless hospital stays, and continues to live with a G-tube. And yet, through it all, she has never lost her spark.

Her parents, Jason and Ashley, describe her best: a little girl full of spunk, feisty, happy, and brimming with determination. More recently, she has even begun eating orally more often—another step forward in a long road of small but significant victories.

This morning, Jason wrote a tribute to his daughter that captures what words often cannot:

“Four years ago today, God placed one of His greatest blessings in our arms, or should I say, hands. From the moment we met you, our OG, we knew you were a gift straight from Heaven. In your four short years, you’ve taught us what true faith looks like, what unconditional love feels like, and what it means to find joy in the smallest victories. Life hasn’t always been easy for you, sweet girl, but you’ve faced every challenge with a strength that can only come from above. You are a living reminder of God’s goodness and grace, and we are endlessly thankful that He chose us to be your family. Today, we celebrate your life, your light, and the incredible plan God has for you. We know your story is just beginning, and it’s already one of the most beautiful we’ve ever known. Happy 4th Birthday, Olivia Grace. You are our miracle, our answered prayer, and the purest example of God’s love. ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ – Jeremiah 29:11”

For those who have followed OG’s story, her life is more than a medical journey—it is a reminder that miracles exist in the everyday, that resilience can be found in the tiniest of fighters, and that faith can carry families through even the darkest valleys.

Today, Olivia Grace is not defined by her struggles but by her strength. She is a bright light, a miracle child who has defied the odds again and again. And as she blows out the candles on her fourth birthday cake, she does so surrounded by the love of her parents, her sister Sawyer Kate, and a community that continues to cheer her on.

So, let’s give it up for OG. For her courage, for her joy, and for the reminder that life itself is a gift worth celebrating.

Happy Birthday, Olivia Grace. May your story continue to inspire, and may your future be as radiant as the light you already bring into the world.