“Written on February 28, 2025.”

On Saturday, February 22nd, my husband and I welcomed our beautiful daughter, Grace Thivani Subasratnajothy, into the world.

I unexpectedly went into labor on February 22nd at 24 weeks gestation, after having back pain, and was rushed from Orangeville Hospital to Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto by ambulance. Sam followed behind in his car and met us there. The doctors administered a steroid shot to help Grace’s lungs develop and had hoped to stop my labour long enough to give me a second dose 12 to 24 hours later. However I continued progressing quite quickly, and Grace was born at 9 p.m., weighing 620 grams (1.3 lbs). Sam comments that it felt like a prank skit as we were whisked into the OR room so quickly and within 3 pushes we got to meet out daughter! Grace cried right away and was taken to triage, right after they held her up to show her to me and announce that she was a girl. Sam then went to be with her while I was taken back to our room. I was able to visit her that evening in the NICU after she had been stabilized.

This little miracle is perfect in every way, with tiny hands and feet and a head full of hair. However she will need to spend several months in the NICU as she grows. The doctor’s have said that she will stay at least till her original due date of June 14, 2025.

We knew her name already, as we had picked it out before we were even married. Grace after my mom and Sam’s Grandmother (Amama) and Thivani in honour of Sam’s late sister. We have also always felt that the Lord has been gracious to us and showered so many blessings on us, as well if it wasn’t for the Grace of God we wouldn’t have met, nor had our daughter, so it was even more of a fitting name.

And now we also continue to seek his grace as we go through this trial.