Jessica and Bens's Baby Shower

Dear Friends and Family,

As we welcome the arrival of our baby boy, we are filled with excitement, gratitude, and love for the incredible people in our lives—both near and far.

Wow, what a year 2024 has been! It’s been a whirlwind of twists, turns, and surprising blessings that we couldn’t have predicted, but now feel like they were always meant to be.

Ben and I had been living in the Northern Rivers of NSW for years, freelancing in land and property management, when, out of the blue, we made the decision to return to Melbourne. It wasn’t part of any grand plan—just a gut feeling that led us back to where it all began. But as serendipity would have it, our return to Melbourne wasn’t without its challenges. The rental market was just as tough as we remembered, if not worse. We settled in Frankston South, hoping for a fresh start, but soon found ourselves facing a cycle of uncertainty as our rental property was sold, and the quest for stability grew even more pressing.

It became clear—we didn’t want to keep bouncing around. What we really longed for was a place to call our own, a sanctuary that would allow us to plant roots and create the kind of life we had always dreamed of. So, we set our sights on finding a home that would not only offer permanence but bring us closer to the people and community we love.

As fate would have it, we found our little slice of heaven. In what felt like an act of divine timing, we stumbled upon the perfect house—a place that spoke to us instantly and felt like it had always been waiting for us. Both of us resumed our careers, with me returning to my former High School as an Art Teacher and Ben continuing his work as a Flying Nurse. With new roles, new responsibilities, and a newfound sense of peace, we took the plunge and secured a big fat mortgage of our very own.

And then, just when we thought the year couldn’t get any more monumental, we received the most beautiful news of all: a baby was on the way! Our hearts expanded with joy and gratitude, and it dawned on us that 2024 truly was the year of new beginnings—where everything aligned just so, and we found ourselves exactly where we were meant to be.

Looking back, it feels as if every step, every decision, every twist of fate led us to this perfect moment. A new home, a growing family, and the start of a beautiful chapter we can’t wait to write.

With the new year upon us and as we embark on the journey of becoming first-time parents, we want to take a moment to share our hearts with you and let you know just how much your love and support mean to us.

To make this special time even more memorable, we’re asking for your help in contributing to some of the big-ticket items that will help us provide the safest, most comfortable start for our little one, as we navigate this new chapter of our lives.

We also would love a storybook with a personal message from you, which we will cherish and read over and over again as our baby grows. Your words will serve as a constant reminder of the love and support that surrounds us.

Your generosity in helping us with these essentials would mean the world to us and our growing family. It will make a huge difference as we prepare for the arrival of our baby boy, and we’ll carry your love and well-wishes with us every step of the way.

We can’t wait to be with you all in just a few short months, sharing in the joy and excitement of welcoming Baby Van Den Berge into the world.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Warmest regards,

Jessica Connick & Ben Van Den Berge