Sobremesa Stories

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What We’re Naming Our Son (A Letter)

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Our Dear Son,

We’ve dreamed about what we would name our children for a long time, but as the weeks passed by in this pregnancy, one name kept coming to our minds over and over.  When we found out you were a boy at our ultrasound a few weeks back, we knew pretty quickly what name we wanted to give you.  All names are rich in meaning, but this one is our favorite.  So, my son, with joy and pride I want to share with you the name we’ve chosen to give you, the name we’re giving to your tiny frame that will add to our family and our world in so many ways.

For your first name, the name that your friends and family and the many people that love you will call you, we have chosen Caleb.

Baby English Ultrasound Picture

You don’t know this yet, but your daddy and I are big believers that the God who created us and created you loves us a whole lot. And Caleb? Well, Caleb was one of God’s earliest followers.  He was an Israelite, one of God’s chosen people, and he was sent into a new land to come back and report to all of God’s people what they could expect in that new land.  When all the other messengers gave in to fear and refused to trust that God could protect them and provide for them in that scary new place, Caleb was the only one who stood strong.  He refused to give in to the fear that God wasn’t enough and wouldn’t show up, proclaiming before all those scared, broken people that God is good, that He is worth trusting and following and He will ALWAYS come through.

And you know what? God saw that (He always sees, my sweet son).  God said that of all the men He called and chose, Caleb was one of the few who “wholeheartedly followed God.”  My boy, your name points to that man who fearlessly followed God even when everything seemed to be falling apart.  Your name means bold, brave, and wholehearted, and I can’t think of three better words for you.

Your daddy and I pray that you would be bold and brave, that you’d fight for what you believe even when it seems impossible.  We pray that even when God seems distant and the steps forward are scary, that you’d run after and trust in God’s promises with everything in you.  We pray that just like your namesake, your bravery would point other people to the only One who can quiet our fears and provide the things that we long for.

We pray that you would be wholehearted, that you would run after the things that break your heart and stir something inside you.  We pray that your heart would gently hold the whole range of human emotions, that you’d be strong and brave but also compassionate and tender, that you would live from a place of vulnerability and love instead of pride and fear.  We pray that you’d be a man who wholeheartedly follows Jesus and loves people, knowing that breaking your heart for Jesus and this world He loves really is the only way to have a whole heart. 

But Caleb, that’s not your whole name.  For your middle name we’ve chosen another name with great meaning to us.  Your middle name will be Jordan, a name you’re inheriting from your dad.  If you asked your dad, he’d probably say he’s proud to have you take his name, just like his middle name is your grandfather’s name.

But if you asked me why we’re naming you Caleb Jordan? It’s because your daddy is one of my heroes.

Five Month Pregnancy Update Jordan And Onesie

He may not run into burning buildings or go into God’s promised land as a chosen messenger, but he is a hero every single day for me and for the people he serves.  He is brave and strong and spends his days pouring into the people that the world has forgotten. Your daddy works with people with disabilities of all kinds, the people whose minds and bodies don’t work as well as they’d hope so they live within a world of limitations that most of us couldn’t even imagine.

Your daddy loves those people (and all people) wholeheartedly, treating them as exactly what they are: human beings with tender hearts and souls who long to love and laugh and feel valued, just like you and I do.  Your daddy shares hugs and high fives and cheesy jokes, giving pieces of his soul to these kids, even when from the outside it looks like he’s just teaching them math and reading.

And he’s a hero for me, my son.  When my heart feels sad or lonely, your daddy loves me with compassion and strength, even when it’s challenging for him and he already feels spent.  He humbly chooses our family over anything else and he reminds me every day that while work is necessary and important for living, the real joy comes in spending time playing and being with the people we love.  He is going to be an amazing dad and I hope you’ll wear his name like a badge of honor, because that’s exactly what it is. Your daddy is my hero, and I have a feeling he’ll be yours too.

Caleb Jordan English, we already love you more than we knew we could love someone, and we are so honored to be your mom and dad.  We hope to love you well, even in our brokenness, and to point you over and over to the one Father who can love you perfectly and give you a whole heart.  You are transforming us into parents and we are so, so grateful for that.

We can’t wait to meet you and hold you in our arms, our sweet son.  March can’t come quickly enough.

All of our love,

Your Mom And Dad

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Comments

    • Thanks, Linda! I hope the same. I’m so excited for this blog to be a space where lots of memories and sweet moments in our lives will be recorded.

  2. Beautiful name and beautiful letter. He is already so loved! My favorite line was about Daddy being one of your heroes. That’s what it’s all about – being famous in our homes.
    We take baby names very seriously in our house too. Our kids know the meaning of their names and it has served to encouragement each all of them during times of trouble. (Established by God, Light that cannot be hidden, and Servant Leader/Peaceful Warrior) You are an amazing mom and have a beautiful family. xo Debra

    • Thanks, Debra! I agree…what matters most is how we pour into and love the families God has given us (whether blood family or just the people around us). I love that you all chose names with such beautiful meanings! It’s such a neat way to encourage and cast vision for your kids. Thanks for reading!

    • Thanks, Lindsay 🙂 It was such a big responsibility to name someone but such an honor too! I love that little nose. So cute!

  4. Lauren, I’m not even having a baby and I started to tear up!! The line where you state that Jordan is one of your heroes, almost made me LOSE IT. Omg, I also love the name choice…a lot (: I seriously cannot wait for more updates on baby Caleb!

    • That’s the part that made me tear up too! I’m so glad to share this journey of parenthood with him. Thanks for reading and following along! 🙂

  6. This is such a beautiful letter, Lauren! I got so emotional reading through it, especially seeing how passionate and full of love you are for your son’s arrival, life and well-being. It is such a joy to read that there is no question that you will encourage him to enter relationship with his heavenly father and I pray that his life is blessed always. Congratulations!

    • Thanks, Emma 🙂 It’s been so fun and cool to see our hearts start to fill with love for this little one. We can’t wait to meet him!

    • Thanks, Alexandra! We debated a little but eventually felt like we just had to stick with something we loved and trust our gut. I’m glad we did!

  14. Lauren, I’m so so happy for you guys! Caleb is such a good name (I’m a little biased because my boyfriend’s name is Kaleb with a “K”) and I have always loved the name “Jordan” for boys. So, in my opinion, you guys have the perfect name picked out!!! Much love to you guys! <3
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    • Aww thanks, Melissa! I am excited to share some of my blog posts with him once he’s a bit older. It will be such a fun record for him! I love that name…we’ve always loved the similar name Avery. So pretty! 🙂

    • Thanks, Shann! I hope so 🙂 I’m excited for this blog to be a place that records all sorts of memories for him and our future kiddos!

  18. BEAUTIFUL letter, Lauren! Isn’t it so amazing to realize that God has known Caleb’s name all along?
    This video is old (I remember it from when I was young) so it’s a little cheesy… but it’s still just as true to this day. Anyways, I thought you might enjoy! (The song starts around 2:00) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWtU95yBIx8

    Caleb has some amazing parents to greet him upon his entrance to this world 🙂
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