Savannah, my daughter is 18!

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Benjamin from Brothers Campfire here.

18 years ago today, my daughter was born at 1 pound 12 ounces and 13 inches long.

Here is the story about her birth. This was first posted on Quora and received over a quarter million views.

My wife had a stomach ache and tightness in her chest. She felt she should go to the emergency room. Everything was fine and they did a few tests just to make sure.

27 weeks along.

I had been there all night and was tired. It was about 5 in the morning and she was sleeping. I told her I was going to my dad’s house to eat a bowl of cereal and I would be right back. She was ok with it and drifted back off to sleep.

I went to dad’s. He is an early riser. We had a bowl of cereal and I pulled out the Sunday comics from the newspaper. I started joking about how women are with their “health problems.”

My cell phone rang. It was my wife.

Benjamin, she said calmly, they say they need to operate on me and it is not a big procedure.

I told her I was on my way and received a second phone call. It was someone from the hospital. “ if you want to say goodbye to your wife you better get here fast.”

I ran every single red light in town that Sunday morning.

She was already on the operating table but not under yet. I was told to say something sweet because she was not going to make it. The baby might, but it was unlikely. I told her I would see her on the other side and kissed her on the forehead. She clued in, very perceptive and I said, “of the operation.”

She went under and the dread hit me. I needed to be strong and I felt like a failure for leaving for a few minutes for a bowl of cereal.

A cut was made in her belly and I watched. It was surreal. I was sick with fear. A purple form was pulled out. The nurse said, I am sorry.

I felt like I was hit with a sledgehammer as I looked at the lifeless form.

I stated, “Jesus” in a pleading way. An arm lifted and the baby made a very slight noise.

“ get her on the table!” someone yelled. I was torn between the baby and my wife. A medical staff said, “You need to be by your baby, she has hope.”

Realization hit me. I was a father

Author: Benjamin

Benjamin Thiel is a community leader, urban farmer, and author of The Ongoing Tale at Brothers Campfire. He might know a guy...

50 thoughts on “Savannah, my daughter is 18!”

  1. Thattamma C.G Menon says:

    Most lovely photos and the lines written beautifully 🌷🙏👍🏻Happy Birthday dear ♥️🌷🎂🎉and
    All The Best wishes ✌🏼♥️ it is very true that wife’s delivery time husband will have so tension,
    and baby seeing time feeling Dad , that is life’s best moments 👍🏻♥️grace wishes dear 🌷🙏♥️

  2. mic says:

    👌👌👌✍️🍾🥂🎂 Happy 18th BDay

  6. KK says:

    Happy birthday to your daughter 💖🌻

  7. anne leueen says:

    Your little girl was meant to live I think. What a wonderful story. Happy birthday to your daughter. 🎂💕

  9. K.L. Hale says:

    What a beautiful birth story…I could feel, and relate, to every word (a similar experience with my oldest son’s birth). Thank you sharing! Happy birthday, Savannah!

  10. Beverly says:

    God brought forth a blessing 18 years ago. Happy Birthday, Savannah! You are treasured and loved beyond what you can even imagine. May God continue to bless you as you seek Him as you always do, every single day. 😁❤️🤗🍰🥳🙏

  11. Under the mask.. says:

    Many miracles in your family! And you and your wife look like you could not be parents of an 18-year old!! Wishing your daughter a happy birthday!

  13. Sanjana Singh says:

    Happy belated birthday to your daughter. Such beautiful name. God bless her always💕

  16. Terveen Gill says:

    Happy Birthday to Savannah! Congratulations to you and your wife. Faith can work miracles. 🙂

  18. douryeh says:

    Happy Birthday! Congratulations 💗🎂 (It all reminds me a bit of my grandson. He ‘s okay now too).

  19. Omatra7 says:

    Wow 😮 how emotional

    I’m glad both survived to continue on ❤️ how blessed and lucky you truly are 😊❤️

    Happy 18th Birthday 🎉 to your daughter!!

  20. swabby429 says:

    Hope and expert medical skills came together for this amazing miracle. Thank goodness.

  21. BBYCGN says:

    Beautiful! Inspiring! Praise Jesus for Savannah! 🎶🎈💥🌺

  23. ellie894 says:

    God is so good 🥹✨
    You’ve shared this story before and it always brings tears to my eyes.
    Blessings to Savannah and to All of your Dear Family 🌼

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