Nola Marie Voelkel

"Oh, darling, don't you ever grow up, 
Don't you ever grow up, just stay this little.
Oh, darling, don't you ever grow up,
Don't you ever grow up, it could stay this simple."
[taylor.swift]

I was an awkward 18 year old senior in high school when I had the privilege to attend my "big sister's" wedding. After five years of marriage they decided to bring a new addition into the family. Nine months later, little Nola Marie arrived in this place we call earth. Here begins our story.

Nola's original due date was suppose to be July 5th - which happened to be the day before the due date for the Royal baby. Once we realized that baby Nola was quite adement about not joining the world, all Hope wanted was to have her baby before Princess Kate. Well, it was July 17th and there was no Royal baby. But on the other side of the pond, baby Nola made her grand entrance.

Thirty-three years ago my mom was at the hospital when Hope was born. Twenty-three years ago Hope, her mom, and the rest of her siblings were at the hospital with my mom when I was born. And now, we have come full circle. Mom and I travelled 2 1/2 hours down to Charlottesville, ended up going to where the hospital used to be thanks to our GPS directions, but finally got to the right hospital to meet this new little bundle of joy. She wasn't even born for 24 hours yet, and she seemed to be the star of attention.

Before you could get to the labor and delivery hallway you had to check in with the front desk so they could "announce you" to the room. When mom and I got there the bearded old man asked if we were princesses, so he dialed the room number and said "Hi, I have Princess Andi and Princess Deby here to see you. Can I send them back?" It became comical when we heard the front desk say "Mrs. Voelkel, your dad is here. Is it okay if I send him back?"

Throughout the whole afternoon family members and close friends came to visit and celebrate the life of baby Nola. We joked about how having a baby was better than a wedding. You spend many hours working to bring this new life into the world but then in the end you have this new creation. And really everyone just comes to see the baby anyways. After 23 hours of labor you would think that Hope and Sam would be exhausted. Well, deep down they probably were, but Hope and Sam were so relaxed.

Three weeks ago when Sam was packing his hospital bag he didn't really know what he would need, but the top thing on his list of things to bring were his Bose speakers. "Yeah. Pandora is great. You get a wide selection of music and don't have to rely on your playlist. We had a little Led Zeppelin during contractions and when it came time to push we turned it to Metallica."

Those weren't the only jokes made that day. When Hope and Sam's boss came to visit he was giving Sam a hard time because he was telling people that maternity leave was like being on a vacation. "I would say that watching 3 whole seasons of Downton Abbey in one day would be considered a vacation." 

In talking with Hope I learned that we were similar when it came to both of our bed rest time. When I was sick I enjoyed watching a lot of television, movies, Netflix, tv shows, and basically anything that made me laugh. It seemed to make the days go by quicker. Hope, on the other hand, liked to watch sappy movies that made her cry. "So that way I had a reason to cry, instead of pouring a glass of water and having tears roll down my face for no reason."

Some of us were more comfortable holding baby Nola than others - "I would be happy to give her to you, but I just don't know how to." [uncle joseph] - but it was clear that this little baby was going to be ridiculously loved and cared for by her grandparents, uncles and aunts.

Nola Marie - I can't tell you how happy your parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts are for your arrival. They have anticipated and prayed for this joyous day for a long time. Remember that your family will always be there to support you. Remember that even though your uncle may have been hesitant in holding you when you were first born, he will always have your back [and beat up any boys that try and break your heart]. Remember that this world is not your true home, and that your heavenly Father loves you more than any family member could. Finally, remember that even though you'll want to, please try and never grow up.