01/06/2026
It’s been 3 years since I got to hold this family tight. And yet seems like yesterday.
I first met Michelle and Shawn back in 2019 for the birth of Amelia, their second child and first
We met just a few short weeks before her labor and it was instant connection.
Fast forward to 2022- I had relocated to Puerto Rico and they to El Paso Tx. A vivid dream I had of her being pregnant prompted a quick friendly text… only to find out she was indeed carrying their third baby and hadn’t announced it yet (creepy I know 😂).
And to my surprise- the first thing out of her mouth was “Shawn said we gotta get Reina to come for this birth”.
There was no hesitation in the discussion of how I would be able to fly to them and support their next ch of parenthood.
And on Jan 6 2023 little miss Montserrat was born. It wasn’t the birth we had all hoped for but it was a necessary one. She had developed placenta percreta, the placenta had invaded the uterus and attached to the bladder. This Cesarean section was the way, but not without great risk of losing the uterus, the bladder and even Michelle. Shawn and I waited patiently in the family waiting area for word.
And hours later, after giving up her uterus, losing most of her blood supply, I could see Michelle getting wheeled to postpartum, still smiling and laughing as she always did. A breathe of relief that my friend was safe.
Supporting the Diamond family this time was very different. I wasn’t at the birth. I didn’t get to meet little Montse. But I stood in their home, alone mostly. Cooking every meal I could, delivering them fresh food to the hospital and fresh coffee in the morning. Sitting with Michelle in the postpartum unit while Shawn went home to rest and say hi to the siblings. And when she discharged alone, Montse staying behind, her home was ready, cleaned up, baby laundry done, snacks and pumping supplies at the ready. We cried together, processed what she had endured and I gave the gift of nourishment.
It’s families like this that remind me the WHY and snap me awake when I doubt my worth. They were clients-but now- FAMILY HBD Montse
