Zoe's birth (from Dad's perspective)

She came into the world at sunrise on a cold and clear November morning. I watched the nurse carry her writhing little body across the room to the station where they would aspirate her lungs, and felt myself completely overcome with feelings of wonder and anticipation that I could not hope to describe in words. "You can touch her," I heard someone whisper in my ear and I reached out and felt her soft and perfect skin for the first time. A wave of joyful relief washed over me when I heard the sound of her first cries. Taking her into my arms felt like holding onto life itself in all of its fragility and beauty and endless possibility.

Tara was waiting on her birthing bed, watching us from across the room. For hours I had witnessed her laboring to bring our daughter into this world. It was the most incredible thing that I have ever seen. With the help of our wonderful doula, Alissa, she reached her goal of having a natural child birth and I feel so fortunate that Zoe's birth was free of any complications, allowing Tara to call upon her own inner strength and determination to work through the pain. I brought Zoe over and handed her to her mother. Together, the three of us for the first time, I felt instantly at home.

Over the next few days, I would spend countless hours just gazing at this amazing little being and wondering at the miraculous fact that we all come into the world in this way, completely helpless and entirely dependent upon the love of others for our most basic survival. And what an immeasurable quantity of love there was to give, instantly upon meeting our precious girl. I am so excited for the days and weeks and years ahead and so thankful to be a part of this family.