Chloé’s Christening: Part I, Godparents  

July 12, 2016 No Comments

Category: Motherhood
Tags: Chloe Renee, baptism, chloe, christening, godparents

This past Sunday, our daughter was baptized. Both Bill and I were raised Catholic so we knew we wanted our daughter to share the same faith.

One of the most important aspects of her baptism was selecting her godparents. The role of a godparent has always held significant meaning to me since my own godparents were such a wonderful enhancement to my life. My parents selected Renee and Jim Tracy, their best friends from college, to be my godparents 30 years ago. Like my parents, they also had a son and a daughter, and our families became the best of friends and grew up with one another, often spending holidays together. My godparents were the most loving people – so kind, generous and warm and had a marriage I often looked up to even from a young age.

My godparents, Jim and Renee

It was very important to me that Chloé also have godparents that would play a significant role in her life and share the same values that we have. Given my health, this role meant even more to me and Bill and I needed to select people we could trust wholeheartedly to be there for daughter. Similarly to my parents, we selected our dear friends, Liz and Ben, who are also about to start their own family. They are wonderful people with strong values – they believe family is of fundamental importance, are dependable, loyal and not only committed to one another but to our friendship and this new-found role of godparents. I’ve been best friends with Liz for 25 years and couldn’t be more excited that our daughters, who will be born 6 months apart, will also grow up together.

Chloe Renee and her godparents, my brother Chris (far left) and Liz and Ben (on right)

Between Bill and I, we only have one sibling, my older brother Chris, and it was important that he also play a critical role in Chloé’s life. He is the most loving dad to his adorable 2-year-old daughter, Mary, and the most loyal brother who’s been there for me when I needed it the most. Within minutes of my MS diagnosis, he booked the next flight out to Chicago and was at our home before we even went to bed. That night he didn’t sleep and instead read two books on multiple sclerosis so he could educate me and our family on what we needed to know. That example is a testament to his dedication as a big brother, his compassionate heart, and his unwavering loyalty. I know he will be there for Chloé just like he’s been there for me and I couldn’t be more excited that he will be the godfather as well.

Not even a cry from our little angel

Very happy parents

Chloe with her grandparents

Last year we lost my godmother, my Aunt Renee, and our lives were forever changed. To honor her memory and keep her spirit alive, we named our daughter, Chloé Renee after her. I loved her so much and can only hope to be half the mother and godmother she was. I recently became godmother to the beautiful Hannah Rosemary, the daughter of one of my closest and best friends, Meaghan. I will forever cherish this role, and be there for her always, just as my godmother was for me.

My beautiful goddaughter, Hannie

Next up, Chloé’s Christening party – all the details to come!

**Special thanks to Kent Drake Photography for the beautiful photos that capture this very special day.