A Baby Shower Reflection

Have you ever had to face something hard? I mean the kind of hard that only God could fix?

Almost eight years ago, Jeremy and I were in that place. A place where strength felt scarce and the unknown felt overwhelming. Yet somehow, we still found ourselves celebrating the arrival of our son, at our baby shower.

But that day was more than a celebration of becoming new parents. It was the day we reached the end of our own strength… the kind of moment where only God could get us through.

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Embracing Strength When It Feels Out of Reach

Labor happened fast. My water broke early on a Monday morning, Memorial Day. Our son was born later that afternoon and was immediately rushed into emergency, life-sustaining surgery. I remember Jeremy looking at me, his face full of emotion. No words, just feeling. I told him to go; he needed to be with our son.

While so much was happening, Jeremy stayed by our son’s side while I remained in postpartum care. Our family split up to support us both, some stayed with them, others stayed with me. I remember the agonizing stretch of time that passed before I heard an update. Finally, Jeremy called. "He’s going to be okay," he told me. "I just had to sign the papers so they could save his life." He later explained that Jeremiah had undergone a tracheostomy and was being moved to the NICU.

When night fell, it was just Jeremy and me in the hospital room. He offered several times to wheel me down to the NICU, but I wasn't ready. I was depleted, overwhelmed with questions, and simply exhausted. But by the next morning, I was ready.

Jeremy pushed me down to the NICU and showed me the ropes: scrubbing my hands up to my elbows, gowning up, and finally, explaining the machines surrounding Jeremiah. The ventilator called an oscillator...was so loud. Seeing him for the first time in person, I watched as the machine made his tiny body vibrate. It’s hard to explain, but that machine was his lifeline, breathing for him when he couldn’t.

My first thought came clearly: "Ali," I whispered to Jeremy. "His middle name is Ali."

There I was, standing over the strongest person I had ever met. Someone I had birthed was now exemplifying a strength I couldn't yet fathom. Just watching him gave me the strength I needed when it felt so far out of reach.

Jeremiah Ali, you changed me forever. My miracle boy.

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Embracing our Community

Then came my discharge day.

Up until now, going from my hospital room to the NICU had been a convenience, a short walk that kept my anxiety down. But now, everything was changing. I was going from being floors away to being 30 minutes away. If I factored in traffic, parking, and the time it took to scrub in to the NICU, I was looking at up to one hour before I could get to him.

It felt like a new, heavy weight was being placed on my shoulders. But as I walked out those hospital doors without him, I realized this was just another layer of strength beginning to unfold.

Jeremiah was born 6 days before our planned baby shower. We had so many things planned that didn’t happen that day, having maternity photos taken was one of them. And it hurt, but on the other side we had an our people, our family, our community being our strength, holding up our arms.

Sometimes I wonder if people really know the impact they have on your lives…

Needless to say our miracle boy was in the NICU that day, Jeremy and I was too. But we had a baby shower to attend. 

We made it, struggling for the strength, but we did!

Heavy on the Aaron’s God places in our lives then and the ones that just show up along the way.

Photos captured by: Yolanda Rouse Photography

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Embracing First Experiences

Eight years later? Yes, eight years later!

Here we are, pregnant with our daughter. At 33 weeks, we had her baby shower. (Jeremiah was born at 33 weeks.) I’m just sitting here thinking, Wow, God. You really did this Your way, and definitely in Your timing.

The morning of our shower this past February, the guys and I had our family maternity pictures. (Did I mention I never even made it to my maternity session the first time?) Being able to show up, present and healthy with my family, felt like a gift I didn't know I was allowed to ask for.

Later that day, we headed to the venue to be showered by our family and friends. Thank you, God. What a difference eight years brings. I am still basking in all of this. Maybe I’ll have more words later… maybe.

One last thought, though: As we thanked our guests for celebrating with us, I reminded them that we all have a place in someone’s story. When you have the opportunity to be a part of someone else's, make sure to make it a lasting one.

Jeremiah, our miracle boy telling our guests Thank You. Photo captured by: @b.double88

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Embracing Hope for the Future

Life’s challenges don’t disappear overnight, but moments like our second baby shower reminds us that hope persists. We continue to carry the strength we found eight years ago and the love we constantly receive today.

Soon, and I do mean very soon, we’ll be growing by two feet, and we couldn’t be more overjoyed.

Our story continues, written by God as He uses His pen.

With Pace & Grace,

Whit

Photo captured by: Liz Bond Photography & Creations