by Kelli Pearson

Brooke, a beautiful young woman with a captivating spirit, leans back in her chair laughing as she tells her story to me. It’s a story of love, humor and irony!

In 1997, Brooke sang in the choir in the play “Fiddler on the Roof” at Seminole High School, unaware that the star of the show would some day be the love of her life. That star was Eric, an energetic teenager whose dream of pursuing a career in acting came true eight years later when he moved to New York City. However, that dream ended when after making some bad choices and experiencing difficult times, Eric returned home to Florida.

“So, Brooke how did you and Eric reconnect so many years later?”

“We ended up in a bible study group and began talking and he sought my advice on how to ask another girl out.  When that relationship fizzled, Eric and I began hanging out together,” explained Brooke. “I found myself developing feelings for him. But, when I finally told him he said he just wanted to be friends.”  

So, they became close friends … but not for long! Only a few months later Eric came to his senses and realized just how much he felt for Brooke. They started dating and three years later were engaged to be married.

Several months before the wedding, the Lord led Eric to interview with More2Life where he was hired as a Teen Educator. Eric’s life experiences has given him credibility especially with teens on how the choices they make today affect their futures.  He absolutely loves his job!

The big day arrived and on August 23, 2008 Brooke and Eric happily exchanged wedding vows.  They had many wonderful plans for the future, but to their parents’ disappointment had decided not to have children.  Instead they planned to pay off debt and save to buy a house someday.

“Shortly after the honeymoon, Eric began to complain about my moodiness.  He commented about hearing how moody women get when they’re pregnant.  He joked with me, ‘Are you sure you’re not pregnant?’”

“Did you seriously think you could be pregnant?”

“The thought kept racing through my mind.  So while Eric was out of town I took a home pregnancy test. I wasn’t sure of the results so I sent him a picture of the test with the text ‘Would you be mad if I told you I was pregnant?’”

“Not believing the positive result, I took two more tests and made an appointment with the Pregnancy Center.  I tested positive, again, but it wasn’t until we had an ultrasound that it hit us.  We were in shock when we saw our baby’s heartbeat!   I was pregnant … since our wedding night!  God sure has a sense of humor … and Eric has another life lesson to share with teens; it only takes one time!”

“I liked all the classes at the Pregnancy Center, but The Happiest Baby on the Block class was my favorite. The staff was so caring and loving and patient and we were very happy to receive all those diapers and a layette.”

“So, who decided to go to the Breath of Life Birth Center?”

“Actually I didn’t want natural childbirth. I didn’t want to go through all the pain!”

But as their story takes yet another twist, Brooke and Eric decided to attend the free Childbirth Choices Seminar at Breath of Life.  They had been frustrated over their health insurance coverage and discovered that coming to the Birth Center would cost less than a hospital birth.

“I felt really comfortable at Breath of Life and a sense of peace came over me.  I knew that this was where I was going to have our baby.”

Brooke became a Breath of Life client, began her prenatal care and took the childbirth classes there. Then on May 18, 2009 little Gavin James, weighing 8 lbs. 5 oz., made his grand entrance into the world!

“We prayed for no complications, safe delivery, healthy baby … and that’s exactly what we got! It was perfect! I don’t even remember the pain, it happened so quickly!”

“We are still debating about having more children, but after this experience, it’s a real possibility and we would definitely come back to the Birth Center.”

“This is an amazing story, Brooke!  In less than a year, your lives have been touched and changed in very positive ways by the 3 main outreaches of New Life Solutions!”

“Well, now that Gavin is here where do you see yourselves in 5 years?”

“Hopefully, debt free, in our own house … possibly another baby on the way… and me … a stay at home mom!”