Hello, World — MY Origin Story
Told by Me, Lizzy
Mama… where are you?
Why can’t I see? Why is everything so bright? What is all this noise?
I’ve just arrived somewhere they keep calling the “O.R.” I have no idea what that means, but it’s full of strange beings moving around in blue gowns, masks, hats, glasses… holding shiny tools in their hands. Everything sounds muffled and sharp at the same time. I hear Mama, but I can’t see her. I hear Papa, too—wait… is that Papa?
I can’t stop crying.
I don’t know how to not cry yet.
Suddenly I’m being lifted away from Mama, even though I still feel connected to her. We’ve been attached my whole life — always will be, really — even if I’m not inside her anymore. People are poking me. There are cold surfaces, bright lights, new sensations everywhere.
Then I hear someone say:
“She’s 20 inches long!”
I don’t know what “inches” are, but everyone sounds impressed.
Then I hear, “Seven pounds, eight ounces!”
I don’t know what that means either, but apparently it’s a good size.
They’re saying I’m healthy.
That feels important.
I stretch out my long fingers and toes — they feel new but also somehow familiar — but I still want Mama.
Meeting Papa
Someone says Papa is supposed to cut “the cord.” Whatever that is. He says he can’t, so Auntie Rupal — my Rupal masi (masi means auntie on Mama’s side in Gujarati) — does it. I love her already.
And then… I meet him.
My Papa.
He looks different from everyone else — he has tubes coming out of his nose and a plastic hat and a blue gown. He’s not standing up; he rolls. His eyes are kind. His glasses shine. He’s crying and whispering how much he loves me.
I recognize that voice. It is so soothing, brings me peace, and I feel all is right in the world.
He’s the one who read me “Pete the Cat and His Magic Sunglasses.”
I love him so much already.
His breathing sounds like something called “Darth Vader” from a movie Mama and Papa once watched — but then Papa says:
He is actually the Dark Knight.
And he tells me he will protect me forever.
He says the tubes coming from his nose and the wheels he rolls on actually help him protect me and Mama.
I don’t know how that works, but I believe him.
Papa kisses me all over.
I kiss him back.
Finally… Mama
And then… it’s time.
They bring me to Mama.
There’s a big sheet in front of her, and I can only see her face — glowing, exhausted, beautiful, and so strong. She’s been through so much, over 24 hours of work and pain, trying everything to get me here safely.
She looks at me and says:
“Elizabeth… I had a lot of surgeries to make you.
And now I’m having another surgery to bring you into this world.
I love you so much.”
Her voice feels like home.
Papa is amazing.
But Mama…
Mama is Wonder Woman — the most powerful superhero on the planet, my fiercest protector.
I feel safe when she speaks.
Our First Week Together
The next hours blur into recovery.
Then a place they call postpartum — we stay for a whole week. There are all sorts of problems but my mama protects me through all of it…
My Rupal masi stays with us nonstop.
Uncle Alpesh visits.
Uncle Dave a.k.a. Big D visits.
Uncle Derek visits.
Uncle Scott brought chicken noodle soup from auntie Susan.
Mama and Papa tell me to call Uncle Dave… BUD — Big Uncle D.
I like that.
I like him, even if he’s a little strange.
Papa comes every day. I hear that it is really difficult because he can only come in a wheelchair accessible van and Uber doesn’t have a contract with the hospital… he doesn’t care and they figure it out. He rolls in on his special wheels. No one else has wheels like he does — he must be very special. He can’t use his hands like everyone else, but he loves me and Mama with something huge and bright that fills the room.
When I cry, someone picks me up.
When I cry, someone feeds me.
When I cry, someone cleans my poop.
I cry a lot.
They jump every time. Everyone is receiving my training really well.
Mama and Papa say they will take care of me forever — at least until I’m 18 — or 21… but when I turn 13, something called “teenager” begins and things get crazy.
I don’t know what that means.
But for the next 12 years, I plan to just be cute and adorable.
Two Magical Nights
Mama’s water broke on the night of the big snowstorm, the first snowfall of the 2025 winter season. While the falling snow was beautiful, to drive to the hospital was brutal.
But I was born 24 hours later on the night of the Northern Lights, when the sky over Chicago lit up in blue, green, purple, and pink.
I came 10 days early.
But exactly on time for magic on a magical night.
A Village Waiting for Me
Mama and Papa say they aren’t sharing many pictures yet — just one — because I’m so darn cute and must be protected.
They also say I came into the world flashing Blue Steel and Magnum.
Whoever this Zoolander guy is… he should be proud.
I haven’t met all of you yet, but Mama and Papa say we have the best village in the whole world — people who have lifted them up, prayed for them, supported them, and loved them long before I arrived. God’s angels on earth in the form of our family and friends.
I love you already.
But you’ll have to wait…
Mama Bear – Wonder Woman – is protecting me.
And Papa — the Dark Knight — is standing guard on his wheels.
So Here I Am
My name is Elizabeth Maria Puvathingal.
Elizabeth — God’s promise.
Maria — the strength and grace of both my grandmothers.
I arrived during snow and sky-fire.
I arrived into love.
I arrived to two parents who fought for me, prayed for me, and waited for me with open hearts.
I am here.
I am home.
I am Lizzy.
And this…
is my beginning.
This is my origin story.
Adventure awaits…
Secret of My SucCecil 