We’re finally home! After five weeks and six days, we were discharged from the NICU yesterday. Even though this was the moment we had been praying for for 41 days, we left a little nervous to face the reality of taking care of Jonah totally on our own. I’m glad to report we made it through the first night home unscathed. 

It’s hard for us to summarize all the ways Jonah’s NICU stay impacted us - but more then anything, it’s hard to convey the depth of gratitude we have to all those who supported us through this season. 

Our NICU nurses, doctors, specialists, therapists, and support staff were not just incredibly talented professionals but also kind and caring to us through our entire stay. They not only met Jonah’s medical needs but filled our days with encouragement, laughs,  and often much needed perspective. 

Our Portico Arlington church family met many of our daily needs - including almost every lunch and dinner for most of our stay. We kept trying to say it was all too much and they kept feeding us. Aside from meals, we were showered with prayers, texts, calls, in-person drop ins, cards and the list goes on. Jacob and I were incredibly humbled by the way they cared for us in this season. 

Lastly, our close friends and family who not only showed up in tangible ways but who carried the emotional weight of it all with us. One of the most profound blessings in our life is the friends and family we walk through life with. In particular, we have to say thank you to our parents. We have been able to be strong parents for Jonah because they first set the example for us. Jack, Joan, Kevin and Lisa - thank you for walking through every moment with us. 

And thank you for following along with Jonah’s story and praying and thinking of our son. We love that one day we can tell Jonah that from the very first days of his life there was an army of people loving on him.