The big day has arrived! This post is simply to recount the second greatest day of my life (my wedding day being the first).

First, I’ll set the stage. It was a muggy July morning in coastal Texas. Mrs. Lone Star and I woke up in a sea of emotion. Happiness, excitement, anxiety, fear, anticipation, etc. I packed the 4-Runner with everything we thought we would need in the hospital. Finally, it was time for us to go.

Arriving at the hospital, we said a prayer to our Lord and Savior for a successful delivery. Not only the safe delivery of our daughter through the c-section process, but for Mrs. Lone Star. We prayed for Mrs. Lone Star’s doctors to be at the top of their game and to avoid any catastrophe. Most importantly, we prayed for all of these things to be in God’s will. I’ve mostly kept my religious views out of this blog, but this day in my life must be solely attributed to God’s greatness.

We checked in with the delivery unit and were promptly led back to our pre-delivery area to prepare. Mrs. Lone Star changed into more appropriate hospital attire for a surgery. My garb was pretty simple. I just had to put on some scrub-like disposable pieces to cover my everyday clothes, including my homemade “Promoted to Dad” t-shirt. I did find it amusing that I had to wear a head cover when I’m bald, but was not made to wear a facial hair cover with a full mustache and goatee.

Next, we met the team that would be delivering our miracle baby. Obviously, we had met the OB/GYN several times over the course of the pregnancy, but it was our first time meeting the anesthesiologist. My wife and I felt very comfortable with the team.

The hospital staff took Mrs. Lone Star back to the OR to prepare her for surgery. I was made to wait just outside the door. It was the longest twenty minutes of my life. I cried, prayed, cried and prayed more. Finally, the doctor came to bring me to see my wife.

Upon entering the room, I couldn’t help but notice how cold it was. The stereotypical hospital OR setting: cold, clean, metallic. I held Mrs. Lone Star’s hand, encouraged her and told her how much I loved her. I could see the emotion in her soul through her eyes and face. She had a look of beauty, fear, excitement and anxiety. I tried to portray confidence and certainty for her, but I was feeling the same things I could see in her.

The doctors began the c-section, but something was off. Mrs. Lone Star could feel the cuts on her right side. The anesthesia hadn’t worked completely! The anesthesiologist made an adjustment and my wife slipped out of consciousness. I’ll never forget the smell of the hot surgical tool cutting Mrs. Lone Star. Moments later, I watched as our daughter joined the world! She was amazing! I don’t possess the vocabulary to fully express what I witnessed or felt.

I was told I could follow our daughter to where the nurses were cleaning her up and performing the initial birth weight and height measurements. 7 lbs. 5oz. 19 3/4 inches. A full head of brunette hair, sapphire blue eyes, pure, innocent perfection.

A New Man

A transformation happened to me in this moment. Some minor medical history of my own is required for you to fully understand what I mean. Over the past few years, I’ve almost died twice via pulmonary embolisms, better known as blood clots. Normally, they’re fatal within minutes of presenting themselves. Miraculously, and by the grace of God, I was spared both times. After testing, it was discovered that I have a gene mutation, Factor V Leiden, which is responsible for the clots. One lifelong prescription of a blood thinner and I’m right as rain. But, a question had bubbled up inside me after my second scrape with death: why have I been spared when most others aren’t as fortunate? This question had really bothered me.

Baby Lone Star was the answer to this question and I knew it immediately upon first sight of her. God wasn’t done with me, yet. I have more to do on this earth.

First Contact

After the nurses were finished with the initial cleanup and measurements of Baby Lone Star, I was given the opportunity to hold her for the first time. It was an experience I’ll never forget. Looking into her eyes as I held her, comforting her and telling her how much I love her. The thought came to me that we were having our first ever “daddy-daughter” dance.

Unfortunately, due to the hiccup with the anesthesia, Mrs. Lone Star was still unconscious, but I made sure to get a picture of her and Baby Lone Star, cheek to cheek, in the OR. Shortly after, I was escorted from the OR back to our pre-op area with Baby Lone Star. Mrs. Lone Star had to be sewn up and attended to.

Waiting with Anticipation

Although “dancing” with my daughter in the pre-op area was amazing and something I’ll certainly never forget, waiting for my wife to come out of the OR safely felt like an eternity. You have to remember that I love Mrs. Lone Star first, then my children. Some may say I have this backward, but I would argue I took vows to my wife. We became one entity on our wedding day. If I remember correctly, it took about 30 minutes for Mrs. Lone Star to join us back at the pre-op room. When she arrived, she was naturally still groggy from the sedation.

We had done it! I use the term “we” loosely. There’s no denying that Mrs. Lone Star had done the majority of the work, sacrifice and all of the discomfort that comes with any surgery. But we are a team, and now we are parents!

So, a new chapter begins for the Lone Star Dad family. A new member of the cast has arrived. I write this today knowing that good and bad times lay in store for my family as we progress through life. We’ll celebrate the good, work through the bad, but never stop loving each other.

To My Wife

Mrs. Lone Star,

You’re an amazing woman. I love you more than you can imagine, even when I fail to say or do the correct thing. You have earned my respect and love through your actions as a wife, best friend and, now, as a mother. I look forward to the memories we’ll create with Baby Lone Star and all the love we’ll share. Keep up the great work!

To My Daughter

Baby Lone Star,

By the time you’re able to read and understand this, I’m confident we’ll already have created many lasting memories. You’ll already know how much I love you. Please forgive Mrs. Lone Star and I for any mistakes we might make on our journey together. Know how much your mother and I love you. Above all, give glory to God and praise Him for providing you with a mom and dad that would do anything to keep you safe and healthy.

To The Reader

Thank you for taking the time to read this far and going through this recount of the second greatest day of my life. I pray that you’re own delivery day be as successful and heart-warming as my own. There’s more to come!

– The Lone Star Dad