This is our baby, Sochi. I’m her dad. She’s very special, a blessing, an angel sent from heaven. I felt the connection instantly, even when she was in the womb. She knows my voice. She knows my touch. We listened to a lot of music together.

Being there for my family when the baby was born was very special for me. I was as hands-on, as supportive as I feel like I needed to be. It was very difficult for me to witness someone I love go through so much pain. But I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else but right next to her. I was providing the vibes. We had the diffuser on, we had the music going, we had jazz with some bossa nova on when she was born. And I caught the baby, cut the cord.

Everybody, all the doulas, the midwives, were very responsive. I don’t think I could’ve had this experience in another hospital. I’m very grateful for Highland.

The Black Centering program is great. I’m very blessed and honored to be a part of it. Even though it was limited to online because of COVID, we were just open-minded with it. The attention and care for our baby was coming in, so of course we were going to be a part of it.

We just wanted our baby to feel like she’s coming home. We’ve all been there before. I can’t say we all recall what was happening in the womb, but I like to think it’s important. You’re transporting from a different world, a different space, going through this portal and coming into life. It’s a beautiful experience and I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. 

Now we are a unit of three. I’m very, very excited to move forward to do the best for my family. Whatever is in store for the future, we’re here for that. It’s Team Love, like for real. Team Love is always going to win.

We’ve got Sochi. Nothing else matters.


Partner of Tia Palmer Lindsay, member of the BElovedBIRTH Black Centering Community