Dear Friends and Family, We want to share the story of our precious little warrior, Honor Isabelle Strauss, and let you know how much your support already means—and will continue to mean—to us. On Saturday, June 28 just before midnight, our world shifted forever. After days in the hospital—starting the Wednesday before, when my water broke unexpectedly at St. Teresa Beach —our tiny miracle made her early entrance at just 24 weeks gestation. What began as a normal, healthy pregnancy took a sudden turn, and before we knew it, Honor was here, weighing just 1 lb 7 oz. Watching her arrive so early in life was terrifying. We were told to expect the worst, yet from her very first breath, Honor showed her fierce strength—earning an Apgar of 7 at birth and 9 at five minutes. Every grip of her fingers, every rhythm of her heartbeat, reminds us how fiercely she is fighting. Being parents to a rainbow baby after loss has already been the greatest gift. Naming her Honor Isabelle Strauss—HIS—felt right from the start. It’s our way of acknowledging that she was in God’s hands long before we held her, and that having her was the Honor of our lifetime. The past three days have been a whirlwind. Honor is receiving oxygen and nutrients via tube, and it’s nothing short of miraculous to see her tiny body respond. I began pumping milk just one hour after she was born, and now, with God’s grace and the help of our lactation team, I’m producing enough to provide for her feeds. Every drop feels like a hug, though our days of actual hugs and holding seem far into a distant future. We are so grateful to be here at the Level-3 NICU in Tallahassee, surrounded by a team performing miracles around the clock. But miracles are just part of the journey. We’re slowly learning that the NICU brings beautiful moments and brutal uncertainty—side by side. Some days are hopeful, some overwhelming (usually both). Through it all, Cody has been my rock. He has faced this entire experience with calmness and sense of bravery that has assured me time and time and time again that he is the perfect man to be her father and the strongest person to handle this type of challenge. Tomorrow, July 2 our reality shifts again when we are discharged from the hospital and begin finding our new routine and rhythm of being full-time visitors and caretakers to her at the TMH NUCU unit. We are terrified to leave her side. We’ve never felt more stretched—emotionally, physically, and financially. Balancing our home life with this is beyond challenging. That’s where your kindness has bridged the gap. From meals and gas cards to check-in texts and quiet prayers—every gesture carries us when we can’t carry ourselves. As we share this chapter of our lives on our Give In Kind page, here’s how you can stand with us: • A meal train/ food delivery so we can stay nourished at home • Food delivery service gift cards since we will be eating many meals delivered to the hospital • Amazon wish list purchases for baby essentials—both NICU-safe items and snacks or toiletries for us • Household support like cleaning, laundry services, or errands so we can stay present with Honor • GoFundMe or Venmo donations to help with bills, pump supplies, and our ongoing stay • Check-ins and encouragement—because these hold more value than words can express Your help doesn’t just support us logistically—it sustains us emotionally. In moments when the machines beep, when anxiety surfaces, and when nights feel long, knowing that you’re with us makes all the difference. You have given us the strength to keep showing up for our daughter, day after day after day. We don’t know what the next four—or five—months will hold. Honor’s original due date is October 18, and until then, we are committed to being her champions. We celebrate every ounce gained, every milestone passed, and every moment her tiny chest rises with breath. From our hearts, thank you. Thank you for honoring our journey and joining us in supporting a little girl who has already given so much—for being brave, for bringing meaning, and for teaching us what it truly means to love. With love and gratitude, Celia & Cody (and sweet, strong Honor Isabelle)