A Texas firefighter and his wife are preparing to welcome a baby girl, marking the first daughter born into his family in more than a century.
Michael Sherman, 34, a lieutenant with the Montgomery Fire Department, and his wife, Joacquia Sherman, 32, an employee with the Transportation Security Administration at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, said they were stunned when doctors confirmed the sex of their second child.
“We didn’t think it was quite possible for us to even have a girl,” Joacquia said. “I just knew if we had another child, it was going to be a boy, so I was very surprised.”
Wanting to make the moment memorable, she organized a surprise gender reveal for her husband.
Michael recalled that he had just finished a shift at the fire department when he walked into what he believed would be a small family gathering.
Instead, he was met with relatives from across the United States, a camera crew, and the news that his next child would be a girl.
“It was a huge surprise on top of me finding out that it’s a girl. So it was pretty amazing,” Michael said.
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The milestone carries special meaning for the Sherman family. The last daughter born into the family was Michael’s late great-aunt, Orah Belle Sherman, who arrived in 1917.
Orah Belle went on to become a prominent figure in the Civil Rights movement in Atlanta and is remembered for her vibrant spirit and leadership.
“It was pretty incredible finding out that we’re expecting a girl and that we get to honor my great-aunt,” Michael said. “She just had an incredible personality.”
Joacquia is due to deliver around March 11, 2026, and the couple’s 5-year-old son, Mekhai, is already preparing for his role as a big brother.
“I think he’ll be a great big brother and a great leader,” Michael added. “He’s definitely looking forward to meeting his new sister.”
For the Shermans, the arrival of their baby girl represents not only joy for their growing family but also the breaking of a tradition that has lasted more than 100 years.
Crediblenewsng.com
