There’s no sensation quite like being a mother, but there’s nothing quite like seeing your spouse with your kid for the first time. “At this time, there are so many emotions: pleasure, relief, surprise, pride, love, exhilaration, satisfaction, and so many diverse reactions: smiles and tears,” says the author. “Moments of silence and moments of extreme joy. Time after time after time, this is a magical moment, a moment in which you shed a tear yourself.”

Continue to see her beautiful “First Moment” photos: “After a long battle with infertility, this was the first time my husband held his son.”—Jennifer B.

“I’m a single mom, so here’s my service dog meeting my newborn. He was there through my labor and delivery. “—Rebecca L. M.

I’ll never forget this, truly the best moment of my life so far.”

There’s no sensation quite like being a mother, but there’s nothing quite like seeing your spouse with your kid for the first time. Seeing the person you love the most with your child, regardless of how your baby came into this world or how this small being was born, is something special.

“I’m a huge fan of birth photography and the beautiful photos it produces. I cherish all of the memories I have from my child’s birth that I would not have had if someone hadn’t taken a photograph.”

“After a very long and challenging birth, I had to go to recovery without Everleigh for the first hour of her life. Daddy stepped up to the plate and they’ve had the most amazing band ever since.”—Rebekah N.

“When you fall in love with your husband all over again and deeper than you ever thought – the second you see them love someone your love created.”—Lisa O.

“I thought she’d be a real daddy’s girl from the start, and a year later, she’s still that and so much more! Watching my husband connect with our baby immediately after her birth made me fall in love with him all over again.”—Kate G.

“Our daughter Morgan was born at 35 weeks. Her dad was the first person to actually see her. I was so out of it due to the anesthesia from the c-section.”—Tierra H.