Riva, You Make Me Better

8 months ago we weren’t sure what God was doing. Riva was born in a beautiful water birth and it was a glorious moment— we were over the moon. Shortly after the excitement of birth, we looked at her precious little face and we knew she had Down syndrome. My husband, Ryan, and I felt scared, unsure of the future, insecure in our knowledge of Down syndrome, and worried about what life might look like for her and us.

The pediatrician doing rounds at the hospital asked if she could request a Jack’s Basket for us. We were willing to accept any support in those first few days. A few days later, Jack’s Basket came at the moment we needed – with the sweetest volunteer and a basket full of encouragement and much-needed information. We’d never heard of the organization but once we had, we knew we had a beautiful community of care, kindness, and prayer behind us. It was everything we needed in those first few weeks of knowing Riva. 

These last few months have been some of the most beautiful months of our lives. We can’t imagine it any other way and we don’t want to. We love knowing that God alone chose her for us and us for her. To be able to love her and train her up in the way she should go is such a rich gift. The joy she brings to us and all those who meet her is palpable.

“Riva” means “to tie or bind” and we know that she has and will continue to do that in our family.  She has bound us together in ways we will speak of for years to come and we can’t wait to see what more she will do!

Cassidy and Ryan, Riva’s Parents (Minnesota)