Love Lasts Forever

In June 2025 on the first morning me, my husband and our Cavapoo woke up in our first home, I took a pregnancy test which was positive. We were over the moon! After a lifetime of longing to be a mother and about a year of trying to conceive we were going to welcome our first child into our life. We shared the news with family and friends over the next few months receiving nothing but love, support and excitement. 

We both had always said if we were fortunate to become pregnant that we would keep the gender a surprise and decided that our child’s name would start with “E” to join our family of Eugene, Elizabeth and our dog Enzo. Baby C was due February 4 and with each doctor’s appointment, ultrasound and test over the next few months, all looking good, the day couldn’t come soon enough.

I had a scheduled induction February 1 but Baby C and my body had different plans. We arrived at the hospital January 30 being told I was in labor, great news for a first pregnancy, and that we would be meeting our baby today. Little did we know that it would go from the best day of our life to the worst day without warning. Our beautiful baby boy- Elio Lee- was born but shockingly died in the NICU shortly after birth. 

Following Elio’s death I knew I had wanted a necklace with his name to always have him close to my heart. I stumbled upon Tiny Tags and ordered a Mini Dog Tag with Elio’s name and birthstone and additionally bought the Butterfly Charm to add to my necklace to wear as a bereaved mother and to send my love to heaven. For my first Mother’s Day my husband gifted me the Gold Pave MAMA necklace. 

As I look toward Mother’s Day tomorrow it is nothing like I envisioned it would be. I think back on our time with Elio- the 9 months of my pregnancy, the 105 minutes his heart was beating in the NICU as he was fighting to stay in our world, and even when he was physically with us in the hospital after he died as I held him in my arms- my heart is torn between the joy of his life and the devastating anguish of his absence. For every moment of happiness remembering his life there is always an overwhelming feeling of longing and sadness close behind. This my constant reality and will be forever. 

My Tiny Tags necklaces I wear proudly everyday which is one way I get to parent Elio. I will always say his name. I will always be his Mom. Elio may not be here in my arms but he will always be in my heart because love lasts forever.

Instagram: lizzzieb_2