I drove my three kids to a sleepover—Only one survived

In 2025, I welcomed my third child, Jameson. I had been a mother for over six years and by this point I was confident, self-assured and I was committed to soaking up every moment. I didn’t want to sweat the small stuff like I did with my first two children, Maddison and Aiden.

I worked shifts from Saturday to Monday, while my husband accepted a new job in October last year. We finally felt like things were looking up for us. A beautiful family, we were doing better financially, and I was the happiest I have ever been. We made plans to travel, just us, the Sartins part of five.

On November 22, 2025, I had just worked a 12-hour shift, and my husband was working in Phoenix, so his parents watched Maddie Mae, 6, Aiden, 4, and Jameson, 7 months, like they normally did.

That particular weekend, I was more exhausted than usual. Jameson wasn’t sleeping well and was up every hour. I never complained and I genuinely loved getting up with him, but I asked my sister, Morgan, if she could have the kids for one night. I just desperately needed some rest.

So, after work, I went to pick up the kids and packed us all into my 2015 Jeep Compass and we headed to Aunt MoMo’s, as they called her. It was like any other drive, we listened to music, sang and laughed like always.

We pulled up to the intersection, and I was in the left turning lane. The light was green, but I had a yellow yield light. I saw lights ahead, but the truck had its blinker on, indicating he was turning right, the same direction I was going. He had to filter into a turning lane that yielded to oncoming traffic, and I was under the impression that I had the right of way.

When I turned, the truck didn’t turn with me—he went straight.

The speed limit there was 45 miles per hour, and he was going well over it. His Ford F250 plowed into my passenger side, hitting Jameson in the back. Maddison sat in the middle and Aiden was behind me.

I remember the sound, the air feeling so still.

I began to scream and the man who hit us was staring at me emotionless. He opened my door without a word, and I paced around my car and just screamed. I held my hands to my head and kept crying. I don’t know whose phone I was handed when I dialed my husband’s number, but after the worst phone call of our lives, I looked up and saw Morgan. She ran to me and put her hands on my face. That’s when I found out I was covered in blood.

‘It Was the Hardest Goodbye’

Everything after that is blurry in my memory.

My kids were transferred to Little Rock Children’s Hospital, and I was wheeled into a room where my family met me. I knew immediately something was wrong by how silent it was. I stood up and Morgan said to me softly, “Jameson didn’t make it.” I began to scream before she could even get the words out.

They took me next door where my baby boy was lying. He was so beautiful, no bruising, no cuts. I picked him up and rocked him, asking over and over again, why him?

Three days later, we had to make the worst decision of our lives. We decided to take Maddison off life support as she had no brain activity. We set a time to say our goodbyes, our family and friends came to her room, and we each took turns holding Maddi Mae. Then, we laid her in her bed and played her favorite music.

I placed my hand on her heart and felt it beating, until it stopped. It was the hardest goodbye.

I don’t think I will ever recover from losing my kids. I go to therapy, have joined grief groups and I have an amazing support system. My husband and I lean on one another. We pray for each other and are gentle. I think we are the closest we have ever been.

I am currently traveling with my husband and Aiden like we planned. It is hard doing new things without Maddi and Jameson, but Aiden deserves all the amazing memories.

‘Half of Me Is in Heaven’

Aiden is still his happy, silly self. He’s adventurous and he reminds me to enjoy the moment. We speak of his siblings daily and we talk to them. We see them in every beautiful sunset, and they will always be included in every holiday, vacation and milestone.

They are still my children and that will never change.

If it wasn’t for Aiden, I do not think I would be here. Every day I am still breathing, is a day I struggle with the reality that I am split in two. Half of me is in Heaven and the other is here with Aiden, living for him and his siblings.

I miss the chaos and the loud house that was full of energy.

Maddison was so special. She truly was the kindest and best big sister. She enjoyed teaching Aiden everything he knows. Our favorite time of the day was nighttime when she and I would cuddle up in bed and talk for hours. She was also an amazing artist, and her muse was her cat, Leo. There is no color without my little artist and no music without my car riding buddy.

She once said to me: “Mom, when you die, I am going to get a tent and put it next to your grave so I can sleep next to you.”

I had no idea I would be the one with the tent.

I was a different mother when I had Jameson. I enjoyed waking up in the night with him. Jameson was the happiest baby and he rarely cried. He was the best addition to our family, and he gave me the happiest seven months of my life.

To other parents, there will be days when you feel so overwhelmed, stressed and get overstimulated. But don’t forget that you are blessed with healthy, living children who make messes and create memories. You are living the best years of your life.

You cannot get time back, so stop and smell the flowers while you still can.

Jamie Sartin, 32, from Arkansas, is traveling the country with her husband and 4-year-old Aiden. She honors the lives of Maddison and Jameson by sharing videos on TikTok and Facebook (@jamiemariebradley), as well as documenting her grief journey. They may no longer be physically here, but she is determined to continue their stories.