I love those times in life when something happens that you would only see in the movies. A time when you just stop and laugh because that’s all you can do – and you couldn’t have made up a better story if you tried!
This beautiful baby girl and her mom, Stephanie, created one of those times for me – and I’m SO glad they did! When Stephanie told me about the date for Merrick’s baby shower, I knew it was something I couldn’t imagine missing. Stephanie and I have been friends since the THIRD grade and we grew up playing babies (specifically American Girls and Magic Attic Dolls) together. So to be there to celebrate her second sweet baby wasn’t even an option! I booked tickets and planned a weekend trip to be there for her shower, just three and a half weeks before she was due. I couldn’t wait to stay with Stephanie & her husband Kyle and get in lots of play time with their handsome little guy Curren. I was also planning on and looking forward to taking maternity photos and last minute belly shots before Merrick was born – but those plans changed just as quickly as they were made.
I had the first flight out Saturday morning on the day of the shower (not a pleasant time of day, for me at least) and was brushing my teeth before heading out to the airport when my phone rang. I saw ‘Stephanie Beeman’ pop up on my screen (she’s a Behrens now, but she will always be a Beeman to me and my iPhone) so I answered it – yes, even while in the middle of brushing my teeth. Stephanie was as calm as could be on the other end of the line when she casually filled me in that her water had broken and she was in labor. I literally spit out my toothpaste (gross, I know) and freaked out with her because that meant she would be having her baby, and on the day that I was flying in!! Our original plans for the shower, maternity pictures, and very importantly, eating the cake I knew her Mema would be making, could only have been topped by Merrick showing up and creating a part of her own!
We hung up the phone and I guess since I knew her water had broken, I went into turbo mode and rushed to the airport…as if that was going to cause the plane to leave earlier! It just helped me feel like I would be getting there even faster to be able to meet Merrick that day. Since all of our plans were tossed in the air, Stephanie’s cousin and my good friend Michelle, picked me up from the airport that morning (she’s the beautiful blonde in our first blog post who is responsible for my favorite airport pickup ever – click here to read the story if you haven’t yet). We spent the day laughing and having fun until we got the official announcement that Merrick had been born and we were moving the party into the hospital room later that night. I felt honored to go and meet beautiful baby Merrick on her actual birthday along with Stephanie’s close family. I teared up when I walked in the room. It was so special to be there, and seeing my best friend just sitting as pretty as ever in her hospital room with her newborn daughter in her arms was a beautiful sight. God knew how much that would mean to me and I’m so thankful that He decided to work it all out that way.
We all sat in the room just staring at Merrick, talking about how perfect she was and all being reminded in that sacred moment just how precious life is. We showered Stephanie with gifts and watched Merrick’s adorable big brother walk around the room like the large and in charge protective brother that he is. And for those of you wondering, YES, we did still cut into that delicious Pumpkin-Chocolate Tiramisu cake that Merrick’s awesome Mema made for the party.
This one is my favorite!! ???? I love newborn pictures and the story is hilarious too.