Meet Aidan
Know his name.
Know his story.
Aidan's story begins with surprise, love, and a family already making room for the little boy they imagined he would become.
Aidan was our surprise. Our perfectly timed surprise.
He was this perfect blend of Evan and me. All three boys have my nose, but they overwhelmingly look like their daddy. Kellan and Logan are so different, we often laugh and wonder what Aidan would bring to this busy, loud, beautiful mess.
I imagine he would be creative and just as busy—doing all the things with his friends and maybe playing basketball or soccer since his brothers have the other sports covered.
From the moment we knew he existed, we were in awe. From the mashed potatoes craving and grape juice dancing. He was our Olive.
His brothers have learned what it means to live amongst grief and still find the joy. They speak his name. They ask questions.
I love being called Kellan, Logan and Aidan's mom.
Aidan was stillborn at 21 weeks. I went into premature labor from an incompetent cervix. We tried to stop labor for 11 hours, but once my water broke, he was delivered shortly thereafter.
We got to spend 24 hours with him and bring him home to Cabot, where he is buried next to his great-grandmother who loved him fiercely.
The 24 Hours We Were Given
There would never
be enough time.
I remember introducing him to Emily, who was pregnant with my Savannah. I remember introducing him to my grandad. I remember the looks on people's faces as they sat beside me, especially those who held him.
I remember sitting next to my sister and being so thankful she was there. I didn't know if I could take the next breath, but she made sure I did.
I remember thinking, This is it. This and a funeral are all I get.
I remember being alone. Just the three of us. And just staring at him.
Never putting him down. Never wanting to sleep. Knowing there would never be enough time.
Our story will hopefully change someone else's.
That is why we tell it. Not because grief needs to be explained away, but because Aidan's life still has something to give.