The Birth of Gabrielle.

It is May 10, 2023, and the time is currently 12:25 p.m. in a delivery room in Granby. If we weren’t so used to it, no one would suspect that a miracle was about to happen. Geneviève and Jean-Philippe are sharing one last moment alone together before their lives change completely. A romantic meal consisting of red Jell-O and chicken broth. Instead of candles, the couple is lit by the neon lights hanging from the room’s ceiling. Twenty-three minutes have passed since the photographer arrived; she quietly begins to document the moment with her camera.

Labor begins slowly, and the nurse confirms that little Gabrielle is preparing to enter the world. Gabrielle, though she hasn’t yet seen the outside world, already has the soundtrack for the first moments of her life. Prepared by her parents, the first song begins to play.

James Arthur, “Say You Won’t Let Go,” 1:02 p.m.: The first song begins to play, prompting Gabrielle to join the parents, who can no longer wait. The faces that had been relaxed are now etched with pain and fear of the unknown. Jean-Philippe can only watch helplessly as his beloved, writhing in pain, signals to the staff not to touch her.

Since this isn’t her first childbirth, she knows what needs to be done to ensure she can hold her daughter in her arms. Although the pain is visible on her face, it is determination that can be seen in her eyes. In her eyes, one can see the strength of a woman.

Shania Twain, From this moment, 1:32 p.m.: The doctor comes to break her water to speed up the process and help Geneviève through labor. The pain intensifies rapidly. She tries her best to endure it, but at a certain point, she has to face the facts. The pain is unbearable.

At 1:44 p.m., she asks for an epidural, which is denied because, according to the doctor, the labor won’t last long enough for it to take effect. The pain she’s been feeling for several minutes now makes perfect sense.

The baby is just moments away from making an appearance. Perhaps it is the feeling of seeing the finish line, or simply the eagerness to hold her daughter in her arms that overwhelms her, but a surge of courage and strength fills Geneviève.

Taylor Swift, Everything has changed, 1:55 p.m.: With one push, Gabrielle finally makes her entrance into the world. After nine months of waiting, her parents can finally look at her. The wait has been long and endless, but in that moment, it seems like such a small price to pay for creating life. The pain fades away. A silence settles in. It’s love at first sight, and it will last forever. Even when the earth stops turning, the parents’ love will endure. There will be harder times, a few crises, but the bond formed on May 10, 2023, will never be broken.