Happy Birthday, Henry!
Two years ago today was the most romantic day of my life. When I met my son, I felt an all-consuming love not only for him; but, also for the man that helped me bring him into the world. As Brad held on to me throughout the chaos that was labor, we were bonded in a way that changed us forever.
It was the date that our first child was due to be born, a son we'd already agreed to call Henry. When my water had broken suddenly, just before midnight on the 24 of April, we knew that it wouldn't be long before our boy would be in our arms.
Soon, the work of labor began; and, regrettably, so did the onslaught of medical interventions. Together, Brad and I rode the roller-coaster of childbirth for about 12 hours. In the end, Henry came by emergency cesarean at 12:47pm.
During surgery, I buried myself in Brad's eyes. I was anxious about Henry's heart-rate and, strapped to a cold table, I felt helpless. Yet, in the gaze of Brad's steady calmness, I knew that everything would be okay.
I felt Henry being lifted from my womb, heard the magnificence of his cry, and watched as tears rolled down Brad's cheeks. Then, my husband left my side to become the greatest father I have ever known.
I watched as Brad followed our screaming, pink babe through a circus of awaiting nurses and pediatricians. Then, taking our bundled infant in to his arms, he left to introduce him to the rest of the world.
On our wedding day, Brad and I exchanged vows in a very public way. However, it was before that, on our son's birthday, that we made a promise to each other. Today is the anniversary of that commitment, the day that we became a family.
Now, we have two little lives in our hands; and, we take very that seriously. Thinking of my family, I am filled with more love than I have ever known. I feel so fortunate to have these people to walk through life with.