We’re Lauren and Jeff.
We’d like to begin our story on April 8th, 2019, when we were preparing to become first-time parents.
Like many parents in our situation, not only were we not prepared to receive such devastating news during what was supposed to be another quick check up, we were not at all prepared to be going to the hospital to give birth. We had decided early on that we wanted the element of surprise ... Was our first born a girl or a boy? Now, in this moment, that joy and excitement had been taken away.
To begin our grieving and make decisions for the next steps, we opted to find out that we were having a baby girl. Unprepared for her arrival, the amazing staff of Beaumont quickly found a beautiful outfit for her so we, along with our families, could spend a very special 24 hours together. On April 9th, 2019, Elizabeth Ann was born into this world. After delivering, we learned she had become tangled in the cord and that’s why she didn’t survive.
Although our sweet Elizabeth's time here on Earth was short, in that moment we knew her little life was destined for more.
Elizabeth's life was intended to make an impact on so many others, and our mission, as her parents, was to make sure that happens.
The Journey with Grief and Healing
Making Way for Rainbows
On the evening of September 28th, out our front door, was a full rainbow. We had a doctor’s appointment the next morning to confirm Lauren was pregnant and have our first ultrasound. The doctor walked in and said “I saw the most beautiful rainbow last night, and here you are in my office first thing this morning.” It was clearly a sign from Elizabeth that she was watching over us.
"I never thought I’d feel anything that matched the intensity of the sadness I felt when Elizabeth died, until I met Jude.
"To the parents who have experienced a loss, of any kind, my hope for you is that you find something that allows you to feel happiness again. I know the intensity of the sadness will never go away, you’ll never be ‘better now,’ but my hope for you is that you find something in your life that allows you to feel happy once again.
"To those not quite there… We see you, our hearts are with you, you’re not alone."
- Jeff, Lauren, Jude, Liam & Elizabeth
