Six years ago I woke up at 1am with the worst pain I had ever experienced, I had no idea what I was in for. The hours seem to drag on slowly as the pain intensified and I swore I would not be a chicken and ask for the epidural. WHAT WAS I THINKING!!!

We left for the hospital at 5am after I finally accepted that it was not a false alarm again. It was a Sunday morning, and as soon as church was over, my parents rushed over to the hospital. I was so happy to see my mommy! Here I was, a 30 year old newbie crying for her mama. When 3pm rolled around I couldn’t take it anymore. Call me chicken, call me weak-sauce… I didn’t care anymore… in barely a whisper I asked for the epidural. I felt defeated, I felt like I was not as strong as the generations of women before me who had done this without the help of a soothing, amazing drug. I didn’t care at this point, the pain was so intense that I didn’t even feel when they put the long needle in my back. However, I do know the exact time it happened because I saw my husband turn pale as if he was going to pass out. Shortly after the drug settled into my blood stream and provided me with the most amazing relief known to woman, I was rushed in for an emergency c-section.

A few short minutes later, this huge 8lbs. 6oz. bundle of joy was on my chest and life hasn’t been the same ever since. It has been the most amazing experience to walk through life with this extension of myself that’s completely and utterly dependent on me. I have loved every second of it and wouldn’t change it for the world. I love my daughter with all that I am and want to wish her an amazing birthday.