With Valentine's day almost here, you'll be seeing hearts everywhere, and not just because of the romantic holiday.

February is heart awareness month, and Rachel Collier talks with one local mother whose son has been battling congenital heart disease since he was born.

There's a one in 100 chance your child could be born with a congenital heart defect.

And one mother says her world was turned upside down after finding out her perfect newborn had heart problems.

You can't tell by looking at Cullen Barnhouse that he has a heart defect, but as they say; it's what's on the inside that counts.

"He's very strong-willed, very energetic, he's very lovable, and definitely has a purpose."

Cullen has congenital heart disease, and when his parents found out at birth, they were scared.

"He was going to have to be sent to Vanderbilt, and once I heard Vanderbilt, my world just kind of shut down, he explained things, and that was it," said Barnhouse.

Two years later his parents want him to grow up like any other kid.

"if the time comes and he doesn't make it to adulthood, or even if he does make it to adulthood, that he's not laying in bed having his last moments thinking, 'man i wish i could've done that, but i couldn't because i wasn't allowed.'"

Medical bills put strain on the family, not to mention the fear for his life.
They've almost lost little Cullen several times.

"How are we going to afford insurance? And how are we going to afford a headstone? And what are we going to do? And these are feelings that no parent should feel regardless of what condition, whether it's cancer, or heart, or down syndrome, that's no feeling that any parent should have to have."

"how are we going to afford insurance? and how are we going to afford a headstone? and what are we going to do? and these are feelings that no parent should feel regardless of what condition, whether it's cancer, or heart, or down syndrome, that's no feeling that any parent should have to have," said Barnhouse.

Valentine's day is the actual day for congenital heart disease awareness.