As promised…

We stayed in the exam room until 4:00 a.m. one year ago today. The nurse looked over Amy once again and said, “It’s time to move you into the delivery room.” Amy cried tears of joy, and I couldn’t get that grin off my face.

I called all the parents, and told them to be there within a few hours. I remember calling them from the frigid air outside EAMC as I gathered Amy’s luggage. I couldn’t contain my excitement as I rushed back up to the delivery room.

After a couple of hours, they all showed up. We waited, and waited and waited. Finally, at 1:30 p.m., everyone went into the hallway, and Dr. Steve Litsey came in. I held Amy’s hand, and I told her how much I loved her.

She started pushing. I didn’t want to look at anything but her face, but I was completely overwhelmed with the miracle God was performing. She strained for what seemed like an eternity, but before too long, there she was.

I won’t get into many details, but nature took its course. At 2:34 p.m., February 21, 2006, our little angel took her first breath. We cried. Oh, man, did we cry. Dr. Litsey put her on Amy’s chest, and we smiled and cried some more.

The nurse immediately took Alyssa to the table to get her vital signs and to make sure she was okay. Everything was fine. She was 7 lbs, 1 oz, and she was 20.5 inches long. She had a head full of dark brown hair, and she was the prettiest little girl I’d ever seen in my life.

Once she was cleaned up, the nurse wrapped her and gave her to us. Her little eyes were moving everywhere, and her little tongue was licking her lips. The family finally came back in the room to see the new granddaughter and niece.

Our little Alyssa was here! Our angel from God was finally in our arms.

Amy did so well that day. She slept most of the morning thanks to some pretty good drugs, but it wasn’t long before the three of us were huddled together on that bed. I couldn’t be prouder of Amy. She was such a trooper, and now she’s the best mom in the whole world (she’s always been the best wife!).

Alyssa, your mom and I love you so much. We can’t imagine a day without you. You bring us so much joy, and you are such a reminder of God’s love and grace.

Every day, we get to see you take on new tasks in life. You’re already talking, you’ve taken your first steps and you smile and hug us every day. How was there ever life without you?

We love you, Baby Girl. Happy birthday.