In 2002, when Missy found out that she was pregnant with their second child, her heart filled with happiness and anticipation. Although she was already a devoted mother to two sons she deeply cherished, this new pregnancy brought a fresh wave of excitement into their home. The thought of welcoming another baby into their growing family made her dream about the future—about tiny clothes, lullabies, and the special bond her children would share. For Missy and Jase, it felt like a beautiful new chapter was beginning.
Tragically, that joy did not last as long as they had hoped. Between eight and ten weeks into the pregnancy, Missy suffered a miscarriage. The loss came after she had already begun to emotionally invest in the life growing inside her. She had shared the happy news with family and close friends, allowing herself to imagine the months ahead. That made the heartbreak even more painful. There had been just enough time for hope to bloom—just enough time to picture their baby—before everything suddenly changed.
The miscarriage was not only physically exhausting but also emotionally devastating. Missy later spoke openly about the deep mental anguish she experienced. Beyond the grief of losing the baby, she faced the painful reality of having to undergo a medical procedure to remove what could have been their child. That added another layer of sorrow, making the loss feel even more final and overwhelming. The experience left her grappling with sadness, confusion, and the heavy question of “what if.”
In her case, the pregnancy was tubal—also known as an ectopic pregnancy—which occurs when the embryo implants in the fallopian tube instead of the uterus. This type of pregnancy cannot progress normally and can pose serious health risks to the mother. For any expecting parent, learning that a pregnancy is not viable is heartbreaking. Beyond the medical complexity, there is the emotional toll of coming to terms with the loss of a future that had already begun to take shape in their hearts.
Despite the deep pain they endured, Jase and Missy held on to hope. Leaning on their faith, their love for each other, and the support of their family, they slowly began to heal. In time, they discovered that Missy was pregnant again. This news brought a mixture of excitement and cautious optimism. After experiencing such a painful loss, they were understandably anxious, but they also allowed themselves to hope once more.
Soon, they learned they were expecting a baby girl. They decided to name her Mia—a name that quickly became precious to them. However, the happiness they felt was accompanied by uncertainty. Doctors informed them that Mia would be born with a congenital anomaly, meaning she would face certain physical challenges from the very beginning of her life. The news was bittersweet. While they were grateful for the chance to welcome their daughter into the world, they knew that her journey might not be easy.
When Mia was finally born, Missy felt overwhelmed by emotion. As she held her daughter for the first time, love filled her heart—but so did worry. She thought about the surgeries, therapies, and obstacles that might lie ahead. She wondered how their family would navigate the challenges and how Mia would experience the world. The weight of responsibility and uncertainty felt immense in those early moments.
Jase, however, chose to look at the situation through a different lens. While he acknowledged the challenges, he focused on the blessing of Mia’s life rather than the difficulties attached to it. Where Missy felt fear, he tried to offer reassurance. Where she saw obstacles, he saw strength waiting to grow. Together, they began to understand that although their path as a family might look different from what they once imagined, it would still be filled with love, resilience, and purpose.