Bennett Brave

George Bennett Files.

I have loved Bennett's name since the moment I said it. It was so easy to name him. GB was the first name I suggested, and Taylor loved it. I remember thinking "how easy was that?" George comes from both of our families. My dad and both of our grandfathers are named George. Bennett has been a name I have loved forever. They fit together so well.

Bennett entered this world on a cold afternoon in February 2017. He was delivered via c-section. He was a "whimpy white boy" and spent a couple nights in the NICU after swallowing some fluid during delivery, while I endured an endless amount of nausea and pain. I remember the first time I saw him. I instantly feel in love but then quickly asked to be taken to my room because I did not want to throw up on my newborn. Finally, at 1am the next morning I rolled to the NICU to spend time with my baby. Over the next couple days, the nurses would call the NICU looking for me because I was never in my room. Bennett was perfect. We went home 3 days later and started our new journey as parents.

Seeing Taylor hold Bennett was hilarious to me at first. I still remember a picture I have; Taylor was so large and cradling our sweet 7-pound infant was so sweet. He immediately fell into the protective dad role. We had lots of visitors the first few weeks and eventually went back to Alabama before my maternity leave ended to meet our family there. Everything was normal.

Taylor, Bennett and I were so lucky that my mom decided to care for Bennett while we worked. At the time, I traveled all over the country for work and Taylor worked long hours in the operating room. My mom was a champ. Taylor would drop Bennett off at 5am and sometimes not get home until 6pm. My mom handled him with grace and the help of my dad and brothers. Bennett was spoiled. I was also lucky because if I was not traveling or if I had an office day, I would get days and days with Bennett. I scheduled my flights around his bedtime and am really thankful for all the time I had with him. Thankful.

One of my favorite parenting memories with Bennett is his first Christmas. I felt like a kid again. So excited for him to wake up the next morning to see what Santa had brought him. I know he was only 10 months old, but he did not disappoint. We walked down the stairs of our rental house and his eyes got wide, he started cooing and gasping in joy to see a tent set up in the living room. I am so thankful I caught this moment on video. He played all day long and never stopped smiling. We were happy.

Bennett was such a loving baby. I know everyone thinks their baby is the best, but I swear there was just something special about him. He was loving, calm, happy, eager and just all together a pleasure. Even when he got mad his "temper" was mild. We could easily make him laugh, he loved all of our dogs, and he especially loved food. That boy could eat!

Bennett flew all the time with me. We would go to Gulf Shores to see my extended family and to see Taylor's family. We flew to Huntsville to see our Aunt Ashley and Lydia. We visited family in South Carolina. We were always on the go. He was happy. He was so loved. We never backed down from an adventure. We embraced him whole heartedly. Our last family trip was to Gulf Shores to see his uncle and cousin graduate from High School. We went to the zoo, the beach, the water park, we went shopping, we ate amazing food, and we spent so much time with family. It was a dream. Bennett loved the zoo. He loved feeding the animals and watching the goats run into each other. He laughed so much. He filled my heart on this trip. Some of my favorite pictures of him and our family are from this trip. Three weeks later he was gone. He was gone in the blink of an eye.

Bennett is brave. Bennett died. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would say or write that statement. On June 4, 2018, my sweet baby Bennett took his last earthly breath and embraced God. I am so thankful for the short time I had with him here on earth. I would never change it. He brought out the best in me, even after his death. He continues to guide me. I feel him every single day. I know he had his hand in sending his sister and brother to us. We talk about him every single day. Brynn and Beckett will always grow up knowing about their big brother. He is here with us, and we will continue to move forward WITH him every step of the way.