Going through tough times is a trial for everyone — going through them on national TV has to be a completely different ordeal altogether. Audiences at home have been known to be rather unforgiving and uncomfortably candid, so it’s not wrong to expect to read some pretty bad things from them sometimes.
But everybody must be rooting for the Duggar family, right?
Josiah Duggar and Lauren Swanson were married back in June 2018.
Happily ever after seemed to get off to a good start for the stars of TLC’s Counting On , as Lauren quickly became pregnant. However, it didn’t last. In October, tragedy struck, and one that many women know all too well.
Lauren had miscarried.
“Lauren and I were actually preparing for a trip to go to a friend’s wedding,” Josiah recalled, according to People . “She started feeling really sick and started noticing some different things. Mrs. Swanson was there, so she was able to help her out. I didn’t know exactly what was going on.”
Neither did Lauren, for that matter.
“I wasn’t feeling well,” she said through tears. “I was cramping really, really bad, which was quite strange because I normally don’t. I was thinking maybe I had something that had gluten in it. It was late at night and I went to use the restroom and there was the baby. Gone. I couldn’t believe it and I was hoping it wasn’t true.”
Lauren and Josiah kept their pain private for months, only revealing their miscarriage to their audience in February.
But their fans and followers shared their own stories of heartache and loss, which Lauren and Josiah appreciated.
The couple took to their Instagram page to address their audience.
“I just want to thank each and everyone of you for your prayers, support, and for all you Mama’s out there for sharing your angel baby stories,” Lauren wrote on Instagram. “I know by y’all sharing your stories it has not only helped me, but many other women who have gone through the same trials.”
On Mother’s Day, Josiah paid tribute to Lauren with a sweet message on Instagram.
“To my dear Lauren,” he wrote . “Happy 1st Mother’s Day! I have seen you love, protect, and how much you have given without getting anything in return.”
“I wish our sweet baby could’ve seen just how wonderful a mother you are,” he continued.
“Not all mothers arms get to hold their little one, or get to hear their baby’s laughs and cries. You may have missed out on these things since our baby was called home to be with Jesus, but you ARE a mother. I love you Lauren!”
Now, Lauren is pregnant again.
The two announced the coming of a rainbow baby on their Instagram, saying “We are so excited to announce that baby #2 is on the way!!!!”
It’s hard to fully express just how grateful we are for God blessing us again with another precious gift!
“So, as we rejoice of the life of our second sweet baby, we also remember our other sweet baby, Asa, in heaven. God is so incredibly good!”
After what they’ve been through, they couldn’t be happier.
“Every good and perfect gift is from above and we are looking forward to this new season of parenting together,” they told People .
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“God’s faithfulness to us in our most difficult moments has sustained us and brought us such love and comfort.”
“We cannot begin to tell you how much we are looking forward to holding this baby in our arms this fall.”
They are calling their second child a “rainbow after the storm.”
For the couple, their second child represents the good that came to them after a very difficult time in their lives.
Many commenters on the Instagram post shared their happiness and congratulations to the couple.
Some shared their own miscarriage stories and felt hope after seeing their story.
Many also shared their own tales of their rainbow babies and sent the couple their well wishes.
One user shared , “So excited for you all. My rainbow is 16 months now and we had 3 miscarriages before we got our blessing. Praying for a healthy pregnancy for momma and baby.”
