I am not the best with the written word, so please bare with me. I live this wonderful but often stressful life. Every few years we move and start all over again. For someone who hasn't experienced the military life it may be hard to understand. We leave everything that we know behind. All of our comforts. Everything that makes us "us" and we begin again. So when someone sits down at the next table at school pickup and you click instantly, you hold on tight. That is Laura for me. She had just given birth to her 2nd daughter, she was only days old. We started talking about breastfeeding and baby wearing. My husband was away at that time and we started hanging out everyday. She quickly became my best friend here. We would share dinners and drinks. Sleep overs and laughs. Her babies quickly became my babies, she feels the same about mine.
Fast forward a few months..she is sitting in my kitchen and showing me her phone. A picture a 5 pregnancy tests...all positive. I think I asked her if I could doula and photograph the birth before I said anything else. I'm so glad she said yes.
Many times I have become close to my clients, they have become my friends and family. Laura...I have been there from the beginning. To watch her grow big, to watch her try and walk this baby out, Ronan was very stubborn and was stay where he was, to watch her labor so beautifully was an extra special gift. I don't get these precious moments with my friends and family.
Laura was a warrior, she was induced at 42 weeks. She had pitocin, she walked the halls, she got in the tub, she changed positions, she took a few hits off of the nitrous tank. She was committed to have this baby without an epidural and she did. Her midwives and nurses were incredible. They made sure she had the birth that she wanted. I can't even tell you the emotions welling up in me now as I type this. Its so powerful to witness a woman give birth.
I have had a hard time posting this blog, but I have waited long enough. A few days after Ronan was born, Laura and her family found out they were leaving Ft Knox. It was time for the military to change their lives. She is gone now...my best friend is gone. My babies are gone, my daughter runs to the window daily waiting for her TROOOOTS to pull up. This is our life. You love deeply quick. You find your family in all places. Your heart breaks when they leave.
I love you my friend. Thank you for finding me at the lunch table. Thank you for margaritas. Thank you for allowing me into your life, for letting me hold that space with you in the delivery room. Most of all, thank you for being one of the fiercest friends I have ever had.
