This story isn’t mine, but it’s one that has stuck with me deeply. It’s my husband’s experience—a moment that’s shaped his life and his journey into fatherhood in ways I never could have imagined. For context, my husband lost his mother when he was just 19, so having someone to guide him through the challenges of life—and especially parenting—was always a gap.
We met when we were 25 and quickly built a life together. We knew we wanted kids, but my health was a rollercoaster. After years of being told that having children might never happen for us, we received the most miraculous news: I was pregnant. Nine months later, we welcomed a beautiful baby boy into our world, the light of my husband’s life and a dream come true for both of us.
But despite all the joy, there was a steep learning curve. My husband never had the privilege of parents to lean on, and the demands of parenthood were overwhelming. The first few months were rough—especially dealing with colic, which, as any parent knows, can feel like an endless cycle of sleepless nights and stress. After eight months of being on high alert, exhausted, and trying to keep everything together, my husband had a moment that he would never forget.
One night, at about 2 a.m., he found himself awake, pacing the floor with our cheerful but restless baby. I was finally getting some much-needed sleep, and he was doing his best to comfort our son, but the weight of it all started to wear on him. Then, something extraordinary happened.
In the midst of his exhaustion, my husband’s 8-month-old son—who at that time could only babble and say a few simple words like “mama”—looked him straight in the eye. And in an instant, as clear as day, my son spoke words in my mother-in-law’s voice. “It’s okay, Shawn. It’s all going to be okay. You are doing great, and it will get better.”
And just like that, in the blink of an eye, our son went back to his normal babbling.
To say my husband was stunned would be an understatement. He turned pale, and I could see the shock and awe on his face as he recounted the experience to me. It was something he could never forget—something that he feels was more than just coincidence or a fleeting moment.
I, too, had my own experience with our son that left me wide-eyed and speechless. When he was just 3 to 4 weeks old, I was holding him in my arms, and he made intense eye contact with me. What happened next was something I can’t fully explain, but I distinctly remember hearing a deep voice speak to me. The words, unfortunately, are lost to time, but I’ll never forget the sensation—the clarity of that voice and the undeniable feeling that something otherworldly was happening.
It’s a strange thing, this whole “parenthood” experience. You prepare yourself for the sleepless nights, the endless feedings, and the emotional highs and lows. But no one tells you that sometimes, there will be moments that challenge everything you thought you understood about the world. And I can’t help but wonder: Could these experiences be a sign? A message from somewhere beyond?
I’m sharing this because I know that many of you may have experienced something similar, or perhaps you’ve heard of others who have. Whether it’s a fleeting moment of connection, a message from a loved one passed, or simply a strange occurrence that defies explanation, I’d love to hear your thoughts and stories. Parenting is already a wild journey, but it seems the universe has a way of showing us that there’s always more than meets the eye.
Have you ever had a moment like this? I’d love to hear your perspectives in the comments below.