A story of love and family on this weekend celebrating both…
Erika Harrow and partner Michael Couchie were expecting their first baby in spring 2021. The excitement was tempered slightly when Michael, a reservist with the Canadian Armed Forces was deployed to Latvia last June. But his six-month tour would have him home well in advance of Erika's March 15th due date. Or so they thought.
Some late stage pregnancy concerns lead to an early delivery at 32 weeks. Baby Lola Josette Couchie was born at McMaster University Medical Centre January 23rd, three days before Michael was scheduled to fly home.
Mom and baby are both doing well. Weighing just under two and a half pounds, Lola has been transferred to St. Joe's Special Care Nursery, where she'll continue to grow stronger. Dad flew home on schedule and after completing 14 days in quarantine at CFB Trenton, proved he could also be unexpected. With the blessing of armed forces leadership and the help of St. Joe's staff, Michael arrived at hospital two days earlier than planned, to the complete surprise of his new family.