It was at this very moment, 11 years ago, that I was in the throes of labor. My beautiful Gracie girl decided she couldn’t wait for her September 16th due date, and she decided to make a fast and furious entrance. One minute I was at home, concerned because I hadn’t felt her kick that afternoon, and the next minute I was at the hospital being checked in. Jim and my mother and both of my sisters were present to welcome her into the world at 11:59pm, August 28th, 1997.

Being that Grace came so early, we were stuck without a middle name. From my hospital bed, I sent Jim off to the public library to check out baby naming books. Both Mother Theresa and Princess Diana died the weekend she was born, so we considered giving one of those names to her. In the end, heritage won out, and I wanted something Irish - so Grace Erin it was.

Happy Birthday, baby!