[ The Birth of Felicity ]

I’m so glad her name is Felicity.

Meaning: "hope, happiness and good luck"

I had just gotten back from an evening shoot when Sarah’s husband messaged me that they were headed to the birthing center. I drove across the DFW metroplex from Haslet to Richardson and it had started to rain as I was driving past Dallas. When I arrived I expected to hear the sounds of labor, but it was quiet.

I spoke to one of the midwives and she showed me where Sarah’s room was. When I walked in she was cuddled up to her husband, trying to relax through active labor. The room was softly lit and relaxing music played, it felt like walking into a spa. Sarah made transitions throughout the room, walking, getting in the tub, and was calm and graceful through each step. When she was in the tub her husband played a very eclectic playlist including Led Zeppelin, “Push-It (Real Good)” and others before returning to the soft esoteric sounds of relaxing music.

Felicity was laughed and danced into this world. Her mother funneled her pain and turned it into joy, often laughing as contractions ended. It was stunningly beautiful. After time in the tub and a bit in the shower, she gave birth to her daughter on the floor, it was so fast it was a surprise to all of us. The midwives were gathering fresh linens and I looked down at Sarah and said, “Um, guys, there’s a head.”

There was a flurry of movement and Felicity came out covered in vernix and crying. One of my favorite pictures I took that night was when Sarah looked at her husband and beamed, “I did it.” She was an incredible example of strength and it was an honor to capture it. The room was full of joy. No, it erupted with joy. When I asked what they were going to name her, Sarah said, “Felicity” and I nodded and said “that’s perfect.” And it was, because her birth was beautiful, full of smiles, and felicitous joy.

Video shared with permission of the family.