Hunter and Hope Madden’s journey to parenthood is a testament to their unwavering love, resilience and determination. Despite many challenges, including fertility issues and the grief of miscarriages, they never lost hope. Their story is one of perseverance and strength as they navigated the highs and lows of trying to conceive and maintain a healthy pregnancy. With the arrival of daughter Evelyn, their dreams of starting a family finally came true, bringing immense joy and fulfillment to their lives. Through it all, they remained united, bonding as they welcomed their rare miracle into the world. Photographer Leilani Rogers beautifully captured the emotional journey of their birth story and serves as a poignant reminder of the power of love and the beauty of new beginnings. As they embark on this new chapter of parenthood, Hunter and Hope Madden’s lives will be forever enriched by the love and joy that little Evelyn brings.
Ever since they got married, Hunter and Hope Madden have been dying to have children and start a family.
Hunter and Hope were disappointed to find that trying to get pregnant turned out to be more difficult than they had anticipated.
Hope was struggling to get pregnant and even more so to maintain a healthy pregnancy when they saw a fertility doctor because she had low levels of both progesterone and hCG.
After months of waiting and fertility treatments, the couple experienced two early miscarriages before becoming pregnant with their son, Owen. When Owen’s heart stopped beating during their first ultrasound together, the couple were horrified.
Nevertheless, both persisted in their efforts and did not give up. That’s when they conceived their rainbow child, Evelyn Madden.
Hunter and Hope had been concerned about Evelyn’s well-being since the beginning of the pregnancy. “We were well prepared for the worst,” Hope said. I think those emotions stayed with me the whole time I was pregnant.
We waited motionless for the ground to give way beneath us.
Despite their worst fears, Hope managed to successfully free Evelyn.
During 40 hours of natural labor, the couple found themselves grieving Owen’s death more intensely than before. But the emotional, painful birth also resulted in healing.
The two became close as they prepared for their little miracle.
With the birth of little Evelyn, Hunter and Hope’s dream of becoming parents finally came true.
After going through losses, an induction, fertility treatments and a grueling 40 hours of labor, this couple finally got the most perfect little gift.
born in Austin, Texas Photographer Leilani Rogers captured beautiful images of a heart-warming birth. Her photos have touched the hearts of many complete strangers who have seen them online, especially those of Hunter finally meeting his precious daughter.
They are a powerful reminder that childbirth involves both bringing new life into the world and starting a new family. Hunter and Hope’s lives will never be the same.
Photographer Leilani Rogers wrote the following description of the image above: “This is the story of a mom and dad who went through grief and tenacity to accept their son.”
“Now, after their first miscarriage, his daughter rests her delicate head on the tattoo he had on his chest. Both are emblems of triumph.”
Their story, which touched countless others, will always be cherished.
It was a pleasure to meet the Madden family. While I cherish every birth story I document, sharing a triumphant one like this one makes me feel even better. Hunter and Hope are amazing parents.
They have great devotion to Evelyn and to each other. They worried until they held her and worked so hard to get her here.
“These photos really capture the relief and excitement. It’s so fantastic to have Dad’s honest, unvarnished response.”
It is often forgotten that childbirth affects not only the mother and child, but the whole family. Their entire birth story is full of heartwarming events, which is why I enjoyed writing it.
I was able to see them again about a week after their birth to take family and newborn photos. They too were looking for success. I also follow them on social media and really enjoy watching Evelyn grow up.
Hunter and Hope Madden’s journey has been filled with moments of heartbreak, loss, and perseverance. From struggles with fertility treatments to the devastation of miscarriages, their journey to parenthood has been full of challenges. Yet amidst the trials, their unwavering determination and love for each other shined through. With the arrival of their rainbow baby Evelyn, their dream of becoming parents finally came true. Through the emotional journey of labor and delivery, they found healing and strength, bonding as a family.
Photographer Leilani Rogers beautifully captured the profound moments of their birth story, reminding us of the resilience of the human spirit and the joy that comes with new beginnings. As Evelyn grows up, she will be surrounded by the love and devotion of her parents, and together they will create unforgettable memories for a lifetime.