Sunday, March sixteenth I get a phone call from mommy-to-be Marissa around 6pm. She said this day she felt different than most. Letting me know she's going in for a check up, and will keep me posted. Around 9:30pm I get a text from her husband, Samuel reading, "Marissa is being admitted!"

I frantically get my camera gear ready, as we had planned to document Baby Gray's first breaths. I couldn't miss it, I wouldn't. I took off driving.

I get to the hospital, around 11. Doctors said Marissa had quite a bit of progress to go. It is midnight, too tired to drive I camped out with the Fine's in room 231. Sleep wasn't easy, anticipation filled all our minds. Samuel didn't blink. I don't think..

Hopeful hallway walks.

Nameless moments.

Samuel Jacob; father.

fa·ther

[fah-ther] noun

Father; a male parent; a person who founds a line or family; a protector or provider.

Marissa Simone; mother.

moth·er

[muhth-er] noun

A female parent. To nurture, and protect.

A long night of labor pains for mommy. Finally 6am found us, and Marissa's water broke! Contractions only continued to increase and baby Gray was on his way.

Little did we know it'd be another 6 hours... We passed the time in prayer, giggles and acknowledging sleepy smiles.