NEED TO KNOW

As Eric and Cristina Conklin prepared to welcomed their first child, they learned that their son had a congenital heart defect that would need immediate treatment after his birth

When Bennett was born, he was immediately rushed to the NICU for the first of what would become multiple procedures

Their baby — now nearly 1 — has scars from his heart surgeries, which Eric chose to replicate as a tattoo on his own chest

One New Jersey dad is determined to show his young son that his surgery scars are a source of strength — so, he got his own version tattooed on his chest.

Eric Conklin welcomed his first child with wife Cristina last fall. He tells PEOPLE that when the couple began dating, it "felt like a fairytale." They quickly fell deeply in love and had their perfect wedding

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