One of the most remarkable things about being human is our uniqueness. In recent years, there’s been growing recognition of how important it is to celebrate what makes us different—and few stories capture that truth as beautifully as the journey of Nicole Lucas Hallson and her daughter, Winry.

Nicole is a dedicated mom and teacher raising two children: her son Asher and her daughter Winry. But beyond daily parenting, she’s become an advocate for a more inclusive view of beauty—one that honors real people and real experiences. Her mission began the day Winry was born in February 2021, when Nicole discovered her daughter had a rare skin condition called congenital melanocytic nevi (CMN)—a birthmark that covers a portion of Winry’s face.

Though Nicole had a healthy and routine pregnancy, nothing prepared her for the moment she first saw her newborn daughter. At first, she thought the mark on Winry’s head might be a bruise. But as she and her husband took a closer look, they realized it was something different. “It looked like a mole,” Nicole recalled, “but I had never seen anything like it before.”

Doctors assured Nicole that Winry was perfectly healthy, and over time, the family began learning more about CMN. The condition, which is rare, causes birthmarks that can vary in size and appearance. While the diagnosis came as a surprise, Nicole and her partner quickly focused on learning how to support their daughter in every way—physically, emotionally, and socially.

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