On May 24th, Madi was admitted into L+D with a dilated cervix at 20 weeks pregnant. They received the devastating news that their medical team believed Madi would be laboring within hours. Thankfully, they survived the night and remained at the hospital, hopeful that Madi's body could withhold labor until 23 weeks. At this benchmark, the medical team could then intervene to potentially save Ada's life. Madi lay inverted in a hospital bed for the next 14 days, doing all she could mentally and physically to fight for Ada, with Sam gently at her side. Day by day, they endured; they fought; they prayed. They never stopped loving each other or their daughter, even knowing the pain of her loss could come unexpectedly. They persevered through the sleepless nights of contractions, the fear of loss, medical interventions and nightly medications. They brought light and laughter into that hospital every day, with thankful hearts, kind words, and prayer. They never lost sight of the goodness of God, and knew regardless of outcome, Ada mattered to them and Him. Madi and Sam knew that she'd have her story, one filled with her parents' love and kindness.

We had the honor of being with Madi and Sam on Thursday, June 5, when her contractions became so much that an epidural became necessary. As they sat in the uncertainty and fear of what the night might hold, and despite the overwhelming physical and emotional pain, their steadiness, smiles, laughter, and beauty remained. When Madi began contracting again on Saturday, June 7, they received news that Ada would soon be born. I know they remained as faithful as I had seen them over the last two weeks. They welcomed Ada into the world on Saturday, June 7, and as they held their sweet baby girl for those next hours, they equally held the grief and weight of knowing goodbye was near. As they let go of expectations, hopes and dreams of how they imagined their little girl's life would be, Madi and Sam offered Ada the gift of presence and unimaginable love while giving her over to God.

While they are walking through the unimaginable loss of their child, they remain filled with God’s love. Both are grateful for one another, family, friends, and for the nurses and doctors who walked alongside them. They are exceptionally rare humans with an ability to access love, kindness, joy, gratitude and peace, in the midst of immense pain and grief.

We have been able to witness just how vast Madi and Sam’s love and generosity has impacted their friends and family. Over the course of the past few months, so many have arrived to joyfully celebrate Ada, to sit in painful uncertainty, and to offer help and support.

While there are plenty of accumulating medical and funeral costs, Sam has been blessed with generous employers, prioritizing and paying for his time away with family. We want to ask those of you who have so generously offered baby showers, meals, or support, to consider donating toward a vacation for Madi and Sam. We want to love this extraordinary couple in an extraordinary way by giving them space to grieve and support one another.

If you are unable to donate, please consider sharing this campaign and keeping Madi and Sam in your prayers. They have felt your love and compassion, and it is overwhelming in the best way.

Thank you for standing with them.

With love and gratitude,

Liz, Angela, and Bethany