Today will surely go down as one of the most extraordinary days of my life. I’m not sure I can even find the right words to describe it. As a mother of 4, I thought I knew all there was to know about childbirth. I knew what it was like to hear that first cry, to go through the pain of labor, weep tears of joy over new life.
I was wrong. As it turns out, I don’t know everything.
Because on this day May 21, 2012 little Kason, son of my friend Sara came into the world. My friend Jennifer and I were given the honor of sharing in his moment. Sara’s husband is deployed so he couldn’t be here for the birth. They chose for him to come home after they knew their little babe would be here instead of before – military families make these tough decisions all the time.
Come early and wait, wasting precious days of leave without your new addition. Or come after, missing the birth – but guaranteeing every day home can be spent with the whole family. Sometimes the choice is up to them, sometimes they have no choice at all. It just is.
Jen and I were more than happy to fill in as her “deployment husband” for the day.
It was intense. It started at 5 AM, dropping off soon-to-be big brother Lucas and heading to the hospital. Lots of jokes and fun at first. Then Sara was whisked off to prep for her c-section.
Once we came in the room it seemed easy. This is what I didn’t know about cesarean births: they hurt. I always thought that was the cool part about a c-section. Good drugs, slice open, out comes baby.
It was nothing like that.
My friend hurt. My friend who I love, hurt. It made us hurt. Jen and I smoothed Sara’s brow and hair, trying to calm her. What she didn’t know is that with our other hands we were desperately holding on to each other. We didn’t know it would be like this, we didn’t expect to see her hurt.
Intense.
We peeked over the curtain. After a while, he came out and we gasped.
There he was. Crying. Wet. Covered in yuck. Not yet annoying. Impossibly perfect.
This must be how it feels to be a Dad. To see a tiny life pop out before your eyes. To see the beginning of an amazing story appear, suddenly. Both noisy and quiet, messy and perfect, alone and surrounded by love.
It wasn’t the same for me. I was in it, giving birth. In pain like Sara. Happy and scared, but busy with the business of bringing a person into the world. I missed the other part completely.
So Sara and Kason, thank you for giving me this amazing moment. I love you. I promise not to steal Kason (although, if the hospital hadn’t low-jacked him, I might have today.)
Good luck. May the hope and love of today stay with you for all of your days.
What an amazing experience! It brings tears to my eyes to just think about it!
This is wonderful. Made me cry a little. Also realizing that unless women work in a hospital the only time we are at birth is when giving it. Amazing to be there for Sara!! Welcome to this wonderful world Kason!!
I’m crying too.
Aw. Great story. Great perspective. Plus, the low-jack thing made me think of Toby on The West Wing w his twins. Good to see that babies still come with hats. Congrats to all!
What a wonderful story! It sounds all too familiar. I think Sara and her husband made the right choice. We struggled with the same timeline too for Emerson and Olivia’s birth during John’s deployment. In the end, they came early and it didn’t matter. I’m happy to have him home now to enjoy them and to not have to go back. I would love to be a part of a baby’s birth where the babies aren’t coming out of me. I can only imagine what it was like for my mom and mother-in-law to see the births of their grandchildren in person. I’m glad Sara had wonderful friends to be there with her during a difficult time without her husband. I had 4 awesome women with me. Only two were allowed in of course for the c-section, but it was such a wonderful experience that I will never forget.
I am so happy and excited that Kason made his entrance! I can’t imagine having the honor of doing what you ladies did today. I love this post!!
Lucky you and Jennifer!! It is always so nice to be on the other end. I hope Sara could at least skype with her hubby. Great job all three ladies. This post is undeniably one of your best, Bridget.
Dammit, now you made me cry!
Welcome Kason!
I’m so glad Sara had wonderful friends who truly appreciated the experience when her husband couldn’t be there. I hope baby Kason’s daddy gets to meet him really soon and thanks to ALL military families who sacrifice significant life events for the welfare of all. He is a beautiful boy.
Wonderful story! Beautiful Baby! Amazing friends! I teared up reading this. Thank you Briget, for sharing this wonderful experience with us.
Best of wishes to Sara and Kason and family.
Amazing perspective B! Welcome Kason! Glad Sara had the best supports!
Amazing Bridget!!!I got to attend one of my friends’ births while I was pregnant with Holly. I remember during the end of labor and seeing the head thinking…ummmm it’s not gonna work,no way it’s gonna work,even though I had done it 4 times previously.
I’m so glad you got to be there for your friend. And yes you made me tear up! Wanna come down to WA to attend a second birth?I promise boxed wine afterwards
Wow! Knowing I could never see that side of it without passing out is sad, but Glad you got to witness it! He is so adorable! Congrats!
You are such a good friend to be there while her husband is deployed.
i have always wanted someone to invite me in. I had a c-section and it did not hurt, but I was terrified. And no one was there to hold my hand. I was asking the anesthesiologist to tall me about his childhood to distract myself from knowing I was totally completely opened up. It is so gross to think about. Anyway, you’re a good friend!
My cousin is due in 21 days. She’s expecting another (3rd) natural birth. I’m allowed to be there for the delivery but nobody for the labor except Chris and Aunt Sharon. If I’m able to make it I can’t wait. I have ALWAYS wanted to see a baby of a loved one being born and never had the opportunity.
So lucky you are and so lucky she is to have a friend like you!!!!
My Heart is weeping and filled w/ joy at the same time.
b e a u t i f u l. m e m o r a b l e.
It made me think of my sister, Kay.
Stunning fabulous Post.
What an amazing experience for all of you! Congratulations!!!
You found the perfect words. Very sweet!
His tiny scrunchy face is so so far from annoying yet! What a joy and blessing for you! Welcome to the world Kason!
I feel so blessed to have had the honor of being able to be present for Kason’s birth, as well as a support team to help Sara through the birthing process. I feel tied to you ladies for ever, through this experience
I think we made an amazing team. Love you both and Kason too. Going to share your blog 
Did you pass out cigars? Good job, standing in! By the way, for baby girls you pass out donuts. No kidding, my dad did that.
This is an amazing story that made me weep! I remember when Sara was born. I cried then too! She has become an amazing woman,wife, and mother! I am proud to be her aunt and am proud of her husband for fighting for our freedoms! I miss you dearly Sara and am sending all my love your way! You have an amazing family! Please thank all your friends for being there with you and their husbands for all they do!
I love you!
Far out!!! Far out!!! I saw all the photos on IG but the story behind it. Amazing. Beautiful. Big congrats to Sara and all our love from here to sweet little Kason.
You’re an amazing friend, B x
What a blessing to be loved so much by someone that you were called upon to be there for this moment.
(I know. Sappy comment. But so true.)
I was there for the birth of my sister’s first son and it is a moment I will never forget. However, not a mother myself at the time, I still think there was something lost in translation.
To know what it truly means to be a mom at that moment?
Priceless.
You are lucky. She is lucky.
Kason is lucky to be so very loved already.
Thise one made me cry. I gave birth to our only son when he was deployed doing his second tour. 36 1/2 of labor, Elmendorf was not admiting me “I wasn’t in active labor” according to them. The third time i got there I gave birth in 10 minutes. I picked the hubby up from the airport 5 days later for R&R. Y’all are great friends! Wives need to stick together when our men leave. It was hard leaving AK. I called that place home for a very long times,
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