My labor and delivery nurse, Christie. She went so far above and beyond her calling as a nurse that 'friend', 'sister', and 'angel' would also be appropriate synonyms. She was more than a nurse, but also my sense of power, strength, determination, and endurance throughout the labor and delivery process. She wasn't just my nurse. She wasn't there to just watch a monitor, answer my questions, and grab some fresh water. She got into the trench of the hardest thing I've ever gone through physically to bear it along with me. Forehead to forehead, refusing to let me believe that I couldn't do what I needed to do to birth that baby.

From trying different (successful) positions during labor to further dilation and rotate/engage the baby, to being one of my biggest cheerleaders, aside from my husband and sister, during the pushing phase, she was right there for it all. Christie knew I wanted to do it all without an epidural, and she was the biggest part of making that goal a reality. Goodness, she was even our photographer and videoed when big brother and sister came into the room to meet their baby brother for the first time. I will cherish all these things forever as a part of our son's delivery story. I know I'm not a special case. It's very easy to see how well-practiced she is in the characteristics of kindness, compassion, selfless service, and downright energy and intensity in the moments it's needed most. I'm so blessed to have had her in the room with me. She's truly changing lives just by being herself to her patients and coworkers.