Stephanie was my nurse for the birth of my first child. I had serious anxiety about the birth because as an active duty member, I was required to give birth at a hospital not of my choosing and with providers I had never met. I had a hard time accepting I wasn't the one to make the decisions for such a crucial moment in my life. I also was afraid of the military mindset of not questioning a thing and simply doing what I'm told; I wanted to have agency in my birth, and by nature of giving birth at a military hospital, I was afraid that such agency and autonomy wouldn't exist. Stephanie had no idea I had these fears. She asked me to send her my birth preferences, came back in and said, "I want to clarify some things on here for you, and maybe add some things I think might suit you". We went over the whole thing together, and she made it even better with her edits. She drew diagrams on the board, and she explained everything with such knowledge and expertise, but at a level we, as untrained patients, could understand. She made wonderful suggestions to me that directly contributed to having the birth of my dreams. She told every provider that stepped through the door my wishes and what my plan was when it came time to deliver. The trust the doctors had in her was also evident as she ran the show when it was delivery time. She was a provider, a coach, a cheerleader, and a friend all at the same time. I have never felt more respected, taken care of, or empowered, as every mother hopes to feel during that vulnerable time. I walked into my birth, begrudgingly about where I was, and I left wishing I could go to that hospital for ALL future births, with Stephanie or without. One person, who reflected such care, made it so that I trust everyone in that unit now so deeply. She is a fabulous, above-and-beyond provider who deserves all the recognition