On May 2nd, when Amber was 15 weeks pregnant, we chose to get a sneak-peek ultrasound done to find out if we were having a boy or a girl. The suspense was killing us as we thought about our future with our baby! Through that ultrasound, we found out we were having a baby girl. Already, we loved her so much! We started thinking right away about what we were going to name her. It didn’t take long before we settled on the name Eden. We chose Eden because we thought it was a beautiful Biblical name and we just loved the sound of it. We started calling her by name as we talked to her and prayed for her.
Fast forward to June, when we began to learn about Eden’s health concerns and confirm her diagnosis. We had started thinking more and more about who Eden truly is. God knew all along that our first baby would be a girl, and her name would be Eden. He is creating her just as she is meant to be. This is truth that we know in our minds as believers, but is tough to wrestle with in our hearts. But in this wrestling, there has become a much greater meaning in her name to us. In the book of Genesis, the Garden of Eden was full of life and flourishing with beauty. Adam and Eve dwelt there among nature and all the animals in perfect harmony. It was a place of paradise & perfection. As we think about our Eden, we are reminded that she is perfect in every way, and her earthly flaws in her chromosomes do not define her worth. As much as some people in this day and age will tell us the opposite, God does not make mistakes. She was His before she was ours here on earth, and He loves her immensely more than we ever could. So as God continues to give her life through Amber, we will continue to let her flourish; just like she already is.
We saw another meaning for the name Eden in a book, and it was said that Eden means “glimpse of heaven”. This also struck us, since we are wrestling with the truth that babies with her condition tend to have shorter lives than most on earth. Even if her life here on earth is just a “glimpse”, it will be our glimpse of heaven in His gift to us through her little life; for the value of life is not determined by the length of time we have, but what we do with that time. And we are determined to steward her little life well, for as long as The Lord allows us.
I believe God chose you & Amber as Eden’s parents because he knows how much you will love her . Your faith is so strong and I’m so proud of both of you. She is in Gods hands and we love you Dylan, Amber and Eden.
Praying everyday for you!
Eden is stronger than you will ever know!
This is beautifully said! Praying for you 3!
Such a beautiful post Amber and Dylan! The way you two are honoring your relationship with our amazing God and trusting this is His plan for your life story is so inspiring – keep your faith as the glimpse will eventually be eternity with baby Eden – in God’s perfect Eden (heaven). Praying always!
Amber and Dylan, Your story is so touching and beautiful. What an amazing way to introduce Eden to the World. Your family of 3 is so strong and will help give strength and solace to so many parents that are in a similar situations that come across your blog. I have followed your love story through your mom (one of my dearest friends in the whole world) since the moment you both met. I have no doubt in my mind God knew what he was doing when he connected the both of you along with baby Eden. God knew us before we were born. He is holding your family in both his hands. Your posts are truly inspiring. You are always in my prayers! ✝️
Just wanted you to know I am thinking of you!