After years of waiting, trying, and praying, Elena and I were finally going to become parents. I couldn’t wait for the moment I would hold our baby in my arms, but when that day finally arrived, I was met with shock and disbelief.

“Honey,” Elena said one day, “I think I want to be all by myself in the delivery room.”

Her words weren’t something I expected to hear. Why wouldn’t she want me there, I wondered. But she said she needed to do it alone, so I agreed.

A couple of days later, we went to the hospital. I kissed Elena at the entrance to the maternity ward and all I could do was wait.
Finally, the doctor emerged, but the expression on his face said something was wrong. As I headed to Elena’s room, my heart plummeted.
I felt relieved when I saw Elena was fine.