Do you believe in love at first sight?

Do you believe in love at first sight? The kind of love that gives you butterflies in your belly and makes your heart flutter at every waking moment. The kind of love that seems too good to be true, but that defines perfection. Honest love. True love. The kind of love that lasts forever. Do you believe?

I do.

On June 19, 2012, I fell in love and it was love at first sight.

My water broke at home the night before. I waited a couple of hours before going to the hospital- I wasn't 100% sure that that's what it was. It was still early, but I knew that we were within the "safe" phase. I was suppose to get induced a couple weeks later, but it was always my gut instinct that this baby would come on her own terms.

Doctor Alex promised to deliver my baby no matter what day or time she arrived. She was the only person I trusted being there with me. Not only that, but she had to perform a procedure immediately following the birth so she needed to be there.

Labor was kind to me. Of course there was screaming, tears and panic...but it wasn't as dramatic as I pictured in my head.

The room consisted of my husband, my sister Taylor and Dr. Alex. I didn't want a lot people in my room, but Taylor was a last minute add on. I felt myself panic the moment I found out my water broke and knew I needed someone in there that would keep the mood light. I also wanted pictures of every single moment and I trusted Taylor to capture those moments for us.

After about 15 minutes of pushing Dr. Alex told Don to get his scrubs on. He mentioned he wanted to deliver the baby and she promised that if all went well, she would let Don assist.

A few pushes later Don got what he asked for. He proudly (helped) deliver our little miracle, Olivia Hope. At that moment, we finally became, Mom and Dad.

It was love at first sight. I didn't want to let her go. I couldn't take my eyes off of her. As soon as they put that baby on my chest I let out the deepest of breaths that I had been holding in for 8 long months. We made it. We did it. As strong as Don and I had to be, so did Olivia. She was a fighter. She is the unknown. She is, Baby C. We never knew what our outcome would be. We hoped and prayed every single day, but there were never any guarantees. There wasn't one doctor or nurse that would promise us this gift. No one knew.

Olivia Hope is a downright miracle. I am blessed. We are blessed. I thank God every single day for bringing this child to me.

There is a picture my sister took that to this day is my favorite. It was the first moment we held our little miracle. This picture, it says it all. This child, she is loved.