Firefighters put their one foot in the grave to save lives every day. This noble job requires them to have a heart full of servitude and selflessness. Marc Hadden, a South Carolina firefighter, was one of those heroes, saving numerous lives during his service.
One day, he did an unusual rescue. There was a pregnant mother who needed medical assistance. With instincts kicking in, Marc rushed to assist her and the baby. Serving his duty, Marc didn't realize that he was not just saving the mother and child's life because he was also drastically changing his.
Marc Hadden
Marc Hadden worked in a fire department in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. He was a dad of two kids and a loving husband. He spent years putting out fires and rescuing people from burning buildings.
His duty was to help others by saving them from dangerous situations. Usually, it was him who changed other people's lives. However, one fateful day significantly turned his own life and made things come around in a full circle. One day Marc would get something he would never expect - a generous reward for his service.
Not An Ordinary Day
November 14, 2011, as a routine, Marc Hadden reported for duty in his office. Ironically, for one of the busiest fire stations in South Carolina, it was an idle day.
He spent his time on duty doing training and cleaning the engines. In the middle of his 24-hour shift, someone called their station. Marc Hadden responded to the unusual 911 call. He had a strange feeling that this case might be different from the rest. Soon he would realize that he was right.
An Unusual Call
A woman called the emergency services complaining of intense abdominal pain. Mr. Hadden and his partner hopped into their firetruck and rushed quickly to the scene.
When they arrived, the woman was in intense pain. By further inspecting the mother, they realized she was in labor. He and his partner helped her in giving birth, and luckily the baby came out well. The firefighter found himself delivering a baby for the first time.
Bundle of Joy
Having no emergency calls for the whole day built up a sense of anticipation for the firefighter. When they received a call for help, they immediately rushed out to rescue. The woman who made the call had been in labor for a long time and couldn't hold it until they reached the hospital.
The baby was coming out already, and they had no choice but to deliver it in the ambulance. At last, the woman gave birth to a healthy 6-lb and 2 oz baby girl.
Safe Delivery
The baby was instantly handed to Mr. Hadden as soon as she was delivered. He said that the baby struggled for a few minutes when she was in his hands.
The firefighter had to give the baby emergency oxygen to help the infant breathe. Nevertheless, both the mother and the newborn were safe, thanks to Mr. Hadden and his partner. They were brought immediately to the nearest hospital for proper care.
Cry of Relief
Mr. Hadden was struggling at first to get the infant to breathe on her own. Some babies might be a little slow to breathe, and in this case, the infant was one of them. In a short window of time, the rescuers need to act to save the baby.
However, luckily, things went well, and it was a relief for the team to hear her cry. After receiving treatment, the woman made it clear that she couldn't keep the baby.
Up for Adoption
The biological mother doesn't have the financial capacity to raise another child. They soon found out that she's a single mom and raising a teenager.
That being said, the baby was up for adoption. And Mr. Hadden was the first one to raise his hand to accept the responsibility of raising the baby girl. For him, it was an opportunity to give the infant a better life.
Unexpected Blessing
Mr. Hadden, who is now 48, and his wife Beth, 39, have a happy family. They have two sons- Will, 15 years old, and Parker, 13 years old.
Despite the happy marriage, the couple wanted a third child. After having two sons, they wanted to have a daughter. However, because of medical complications, they can't have another child.
Within Their Grasp
They had to resort to adoption because of that setback. Adopting a child was not a walk in the park. It's tedious, complicated, and expensive.
That's why, upon hearing that the mother wanted to put the baby up for adoption, he tried to grab the chance to have another child. The opportunity to adopt this baby seemed like a clear message from the power of fate.
Meant to be
The odds that Mr. Hadden would end up handling this rescue are slim out of all the firefighters. However, as fate would have it, things fell into place.
Mr. Hadden and his wife have prayed for it for so long. They wanted to adopt since they couldn't have more kids. The couple had always dreamed of adopting a little girl.
Grain of Truth in a Joke
Beth recalled that she received a phone call moments after the rescue from Mr. Hadden, saying that he had just delivered a baby. And she kiddingly asked if they could keep her. Little did she know that for the next two days, the baby was going home with them.
It seems like the family, and the baby was meant to be. After learning that the mother was struggling to support her child, Beth felt sympathetic towards the mother.
Answered prayer
Mr. Hadden had the opportunity to talk to the mother. So he visited her room and introduced himself. The two spoke for a while, and Mr. Hadden brought up to the conversation his two kids and his school teacher's wife.
During the friendly chat, he mentioned to the mother that they wanted to have another child but could not conceive. After that, he swung by the nursery and took a picture of the baby.
Crossroads
As he got home, he talked to his wife about the possible adoption. They were both determined to have the baby since it was their wish for a long time. Beth thought she owed the mother a visit, so she went to the hospital the next day.
Beth said that her heart goes out for that woman. To lift her spirit, she brought her a prayer book and asked if she could help her in any way.
The Two Mothers
While they were having a conversation, a doctor said they were ready to proceed with the adoption. However, the mother realized that she couldn't give her daughter to someone she didn't know. It was in her best interest to put the child up for adoption.
But as a mother, she also wanted to make sure that her child would end up in a loving family. The mother turned to Beth and said that she wanted her to adopt her baby.
A Mother's Longing
For Beth, it was an answered prayer. She longed to have a daughter all her life. And after that fateful rescue, she was now being offered to take care of the baby girl.
At last, God answered her plea for another child. The nurse brought the little girl in, and it was the first time she was able to hold the baby girl for the first time.
Right Place and Right Time
Waiting for something is one of the most challenging hurdles in life. Have you ever asked something in prayer that took several months to be answered? Perhaps it took you years to finally receive what you're kneeling for. It is like waiting for the universe or God to answer your prayers when you urgently need intervention.
For Beth and Marc Hadden, they've waited years for their prayer to be answered. It was a challenging and tiring journey for them to have another child. However, the couple continued to press on and wait patiently.
The Wait is Over
After a long time of waiting, a miracle came into their lives. They didn't conceive another child. However, they met a woman who answered their prayers.
Mr. Hadden's rescue leads to the thing that they yearn for the most. And in the right place and at the right time, they were asked to adopt the baby girl.
Finally Home
After agreeing to the mother's request, Beth called Mr. Hadden to inform him. She told her husband they had just had a baby.
By the end of that day, the couple signed a few papers for temporary custody and were allowed to bring the infant home. They didn't expect that after the rescue, forty-eight hours later, they had their little girl. And by March 2012, the adoption process was complete.
Now in Good Hands
The baby girl finally found a family. And her biological mother can sleep well at night knowing her daughter is in good hands. She doesn't have to worry about her baby's welfare and safety.
The baby has a roof above her head, a loving family, and a chance to grow up happily. For the Hadden's, the baby is what they prayed for.
New Beginnings
After bringing the baby girl home, Beth's face lit up with excitement, and she said that It felt like winning the lottery. The couple is lost for words for how thrilled they are to have the baby finally.
They weren't bothered that they had to start from scratch taking care of an infant. For them, she was all they were waiting for. Together with their two sons, the couple started a new journey when the baby girl arrived in their life.
Rebecca Grace Hadden
The six-pound baby delivered at the back of an ambulance was now living with her new family. Her father, Mr. Hadden, would still recall how he struggled to get her to breathe. They still can't believe that they finally have a daughter.
The couple said that they would often pinch themselves as a reality check of how lucky they were. They named the baby girl Rebecca Grace Hadden.
A Gift
Her new family would call her "Gracie." For the family, Gracie is a gift from above. Mr. Hadden said that her nickname Gracie is extremely fitting for her.
The little girl, who is now five years old, turned out to be an awesome kid. Gracie would always play with her older brothers and play dress-up with her mom.
All Grown Up
She was a budding gymnast and a girly girl. However, her mom said that she is also a 'tough little joker' thanks to her two big brothers.
The little girl is fond of telling other people how she was born. And how her father delivered her and helped her take her first breath. For little Gracie, it was her favorite story.
How It Came To Be
Little Gracie has now spent her first six years of life as a part of the Hadden family. Nevertheless, the family never hid the truth from her. Even when she was young, she knew how she came into their lives.
Her parents did their best to make sure she never forgot how they became a family. They told her what happened during that fateful day when her biological mother called her dad's office for help.
Memories of Their First Meeting
She also knows that her dad helped her take her first breath. The couple said that they told her pretty much from day one. Her dad used to take her to the back of the ambulance where she was born. Little Gracie pretty much understood what happened. Most foster parents find it difficult to talk about their adoption with a child.
However, for young Gracie, that was never the case. Even at a young age, she understood the situation. Marc and Beth never struggled to reveal the truth to their daughter. Grace is an integral part of their family. So they made sure she remembered where she came from.
She was Their Destiny
It was a dream come true not only for the couple but also for the whole family. Finally, they have a daughter of their own. It's like yesterday when Mr. Hadden went out to help a woman give birth. Now, the baby is in their arms. Over the years, their bond grew extremely tight.
Little Gracie has been a part of the family. And the Hadden's family said that they love her more than life. Mr. Hadden also said that they wouldn't change anything. They would do it again if they could. Perhaps it was all meant to be.
Part of The Family
In an interview, Mr. Hadden said that after that day, everything changed. His station, the assignment, and the location.
Those coincidences that happened made them 100 percent sure. The couple is still in awe of how their prayer got answered. They were eternally grateful that Gracie came into their lives and changed them.
Perfect Family
After years of praying, the Hadden's are now blissful and grateful for their perfect family. They already have two sons that they hold dear and a baby girl. For them, their family is already complete.
Mr. Hadden said that he looks forward to waking little Gracie up every day, getting her ready for school, and then picking her up later. He also said that he is living the best days of his life.
Protective Brothers
Little Gracie contributed to all of their lives. As for the two older brothers, they both love their sister very much. And Grace shares the same affection for her adoptive siblings. Mr. Hadden describes his bond with Gracie as one that is "tighter than thieves. Grace made the family happier when she came into their lives.
Mr. Hadden never knew that one day his life would change. Little Gracie's presence made Mr. Hadden's family complete. It's like she's the missing puzzle piece they are looking for. This inspiring story is a perfect example that sometimes the best things happen in the blink of an eye.