Love, Sami
“Dear NICU Mama, Your motherhood story is a masterpiece. The most magnificent stories, songs, and pieces of art were not easy to make. They took time, sacrifice, and pain. Your motherhood story is one of these masterpieces. Not only did you make the most beautiful baby, you also created a story and a memory to look back on.
Some days you might walk by your masterpiece and can’t stand to look at it. On those days, take a breath and walk away. You deserve space to hold any emotion you have.
Other days, you may want to take hours looking at your masterpiece and admire the strength and sacrifice while also respecting the pain you endured. No matter which day you are having, please allow yourself to feel both. You deserve to hold in your heart every emotion that goes along with the journey you took to make your masterpiece.
Art is subjective. What is beautiful to you may not be beautiful to others. Your story is yours to admire and remember with every emotion you choose to have. It may not be beautiful by society's standards; when you first saw your baby they might have had more tubes or wires than you dreamed.
But they were always so beautiful to you. That is your story. Beautiful not in spite of the tubes or wires. Beautiful because of them. Because of the strength you see in those photos and videos. The strength in you and your family and the immense strength you saw in your little one’s eyes.
It’s a masterpiece, mama.”
Love,
Sami
More of Sami + Violet’s NICU story:
“My name is Sami. I delivered my NICU baby in July after my water broke at 32w2d. I had planned a natural birth at a birthing center so ending up at the hospital at 32 weeks was quite the surprise.
We tried every medicine we could to stall the labor until 34 weeks but my baby girl decided it was time 24 hours later at only 32w3d. I was terrified but put on my brave face for my husband and was determined to figure it out as long as she was healthy.
After 3 hours of pushing, I was rushed to have an emergency C-section. Violet Marie Nichols was born at 4:45 pm on July 24, 2023. She weighed 4lbs9oz and we were told she wouldn’t cry but she immediately did. I was so proud of my tiny baby.
The moment the nurses let me, I went to see my baby and cried and apologized to her. I was so sorry I couldn’t keep her safe longer. Especially since no one could tell me why I went into labor early. I held this teeny tiny baby in my arms and fell in love.
Violet spent 34 days in the NICU and I was lucky enough to spend every day with her. Every day I just wanted to take my baby to her home. I wanted her to experience rain and sunshine and lay in her room her daddy and I made just for her.
Violet is now 9 months old and thriving. She is so strong, smart, and happy. The happiest baby I have ever known. I am the luckiest mama to have her. And I hope to be the best mama so she feels just as lucky to have me.”
