My youngest had a birthday this weekend.

My beautiful new baby holding my hand

Yes, my youngest just celebrated her birthday. It is exciting and sad all at the same time. My baby is growing up.

It doesn’t seem like that long ago that we brought home this new little addition to our family. She was a good sleeper. Content. Smiley.

Now, she is writing letters, counting and teaching us about compassion and love.

But there is a unique story to her birth – one I hadn’t planned on.

I had planned to have my baby with just my husband, my doctor, the nurse and me. It seemed reasonable for a sort of private person.

Well, while my husband had lunch my mother-in-law came in to chat. She always has had a rather calming effect on me, so I welcomed the distraction.

But then, baby was coming. In the rush of trying to get my husband to the room (he made it, just barely), she asked (well, sort begged) to stay.

There wasn’t time. She stayed. It wasn’t in my birth plan.

She watched me during probably one of my most difficult moments; that was humbling.

It was my mother-in-law who announced to me that we had a baby girl. She saw my baby before I did. She told me I had done a good job. She cried tears of joy.

My husband cradling our newborn's sweet little feet

At the time, I don’t think I appreciated having someone there, seeing me perhaps at my worst. But, when I think about my mother-in-law sitting with my daughter during church and whispering, “I saw you be born,” I realize just what a beautiful bond that created for the two of them.

So, five years on, I am incredibly blessed. Happy birthday, sweet child!