I’ve always thought that Valentine’s Day was kind of contrived. It is probably a good thing that I think that way because my husband is not real good with on-command romantic gift-giving holidays. It is not that he isn’t well-intentioned. More often than I care to remember, he’s gone shopping and come home empty-handed because, in his words, "nothing was good enough." Romance in our marriage seems to come in the context of real life and often catches us by surprise. This year, we celebrated Valentine’s Day two weeks early.

At three o’clock in the morning on Feb. 1, my water broke. My doctor had warned me that, in light of previous rapid labors, I should be prepared for a quick delivery and get to the hospital immediately. His prediction rang true with me because my previous labors averaged about three hours. So I did what everyone does when she knows she’s in labor: I called four friends. Lynn came to stay with my children. Barbara hit the road within minutes to come to my house and take me to the hospital. Leah and Michele (who is my sister-in-law as well as my friend) met me at the hospital. The fifth phone call was to my husband. He was in New York City.

It was a calm call, considering the content. Mike assured me that he would be on the 6:30 shuttle into DC and that he would meet me at the hospital. I didn’t cry, though I wanted to. I was too tense to cry. Neither he nor I gave voice to what we both knew. He was going to miss the birth.

I remained calm for the next four hours, walking the halls with my friends, chatting about mindless things like waffle irons and what color carpet to buy for the basement. Occasionally, I would pass
 my doctor in the hall. He’d ask what happened to my rapid labor and I would reply that I was waiting for my husband.

At 7:30, tense and tired, I called Mike’s cellular phone. He was on the runway at National Airport, waiting for the plane doors to open. It was rush hour now, but he assured me he would be there by 8:30. He was true to his word.

I will never forget how he looked standing in the doorway to the hospital room. I caught my breath and tears filled my eyes. I remember reacting that way once before—when I first caught sight of him on my wedding day. Now I was ready to have a baby. From then on, my labor followed a familiar and predictable (if not comfortable) pattern. I blocked out everything and everyone but my husband, the father of this baby. It was his word and his touch that brought comfort. It was he who renewed my strength.

Stephen Thomas was born at 11:21, three hours from when Mike arrived. In the few moments we had alone before the rest of our clan hovered around our baby, we curled up together. The three of us were cozier than any candlelight dinner for two. I reflected on how this was real romance.

These days, immediately following the birth of our baby, we have a rosy glow that is unparalleled in gift store wares. This baby, sweet and soft and dear, is the incarnation of a love that can’t be captured on greeting cards. This gift certainly is "good enough."

Foss is a freelance writer from Northern Virginia.
 

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Copyright ©1999 Arlington Catholic Herald, Inc. All rights reserved.

This article was published in the Arlington Catholic Herald,
200 N. Glebe Rd., Suite 607, Arlington, VA 22203; Vol. 24, No 7;
page 5, dated Feb 18, 1999.
E-mail: letters@catholicherald.com
Fax: 703/524-2782;
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Circulation: 703/841-2565

A note from the Web Master:

It is noteworthy and honorable that some folks are willing to stand up for a ban on Partial-Birth Abortion.  Let us not forget that ordinary everyday Abortion is also murder.  We must understand that murder is murder no matter the method.  Because one method of abortion seems to be horrible does not justify the other methods.  We should be horrified and sickened by any Abortion regardless of the method.  The Fifth Commandment spells it out clearly: "Thou shalt not kill."  A fetus is a person, a human being with a God given soul.  Imagine the pain the Lord must feel when any Abortion occurs.  Please contact both of your Senators and Representative, via letter or phone,  to let them know how horrified you are that Abortions are legal and to stop Partial-Birth Abortions and all other Abortions as soon as possible. (It has become apparent that they do not respond to email therefore you will have more of an impact by writing or telephoning.)

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