A new mother invited her husband’s ex-wife to be her birth doula- and she helped her breastfeed, change the newborn’s diapers and is the tot’s ‘third parent’.
Summer Trent Garcia, 28, who lives in Sarasota, Florida, hasn’t always had a close relationship with her husband’s ex, Dani Walsh, 29.
Summer met her husband, JJ Garcia, 32, a professional fighter, just a few months after he split from his 10-year on and off relationship with Dani, an officer manager.
Dani – who shares daughter, Lydia Garcia, eight, with JJ – felt ‘resentment’ for Summer at first and blamed her for their break-up at the time.
But when JJ proposed to Summer, she convinced Dani to go for a drink and the pair hit it off – realizing they had lots in common and a shared love for Lydia.
Summer Trent Garcia (middle right) invited her husband JJ Garcia’s (right) ex-wife Dani Walsh (left) to be her birth doula. JJ and Dani already share a child, Lydia Garcia (middle right)
Now they count each other as best friends and go for drinks, dinner and get their nails done together.
Summer fell pregnant with her baby boy, Sage, now one month old, in January 2023 and said Dani was there for her throughout the pregnancy – rubbing her shoulders and answering her questions.
The whole blended family were there when Sage was born on September 13, 2023, weighing 7lbs 15oz and Dani is now on hand to help Summer breastfeed, change diapers, and cook dinner.
Summer, a personal trainer said: ‘In the beginning it was really bad between us.
‘Now she’s one of my best friends.
‘She’s had a baby with JJ – she knows what it’s like to carry his child as well.
‘She was giving me tips, answering my questions. She’d rub my shoulders.
‘The minute I went into labor her, and Lydia came to the hospital. It was beautiful.
Dani travelled to the hospital as soon as Lydia went in to labor to help her throughout the birth. Dani is pictured above with the new baby, Sage Garcia
At first, Dani resented Summer and blamed her for her failed relationship with JJ, which was on and off for ten years
When JJ proposed to Summer, she convinced Dani to go for a drink and the pair hit it off – realizing they had lots in common and a shared love for Lydia. Now, the blended family often spend time together
‘Now Dani helps me breastfeed and changes diapers.
‘She’s basically another parent for Sage as well.’
Dani said: ‘I helped her with labor.
‘I was her doula. I wanted to be there to help with contractions.’
Summer met JJ in the gym in May 2018 and struggled to get along with Dani at first.
She said: ‘Her and JJ had been broken up for a couple of months, so it was really fresh.
JJ popped the question to Summer on Thanksgiving 2020 and Lydia knew she wanted to keep trying to forge a relationship with Dani for Lydia’s sake
Now the pair count each other as best friends and go for drinks, dinner and get their nails done together
‘They’d been on and off for years.
‘In her eyes for a while I was the reason they broke up.’
Dani said: ‘It was hard for me to have someone enter into the picture.
‘I wanted to reject her love. There was resentment.’
JJ popped the question to Summer on Thanksgiving 2020 and Lydia knew she wanted to keep trying to forge a relationship with Dani – for Lydia’s sake.
She said: ‘By the time we got engaged – I said ‘we’re going to have to talk if you like it or not’.
While Dani took a day to process the news that Summer and JJ were having a baby together- she cared for Summer throughout the pregnancy
The pair both have lots in common, including an avid interest in spirituality and wellness trends
The whole blended family were there when Sage was born on September 13, 2023, weighing 7lbs 15oz
‘Lydia deserves to have people who communicate.
‘We met up for a drink and realized we had lots in common.
‘Our friendship took off.
‘We have similar views on spirituality and wellness. Our personalities meshed really well.’
The pals started meeting up and now consider each other best friends.
Summer said: ‘We go for drinks, dinner, and get our nails done.’
Dani was able to repair her friendship with JJ and they are all able to hang out – spending holidays together and going on trips to amusement parks as a four.
This year Dani is joining Summer’s family for Thanksgiving in Virginia, and they will all be spending Christmas together.
Summer and Dani realized that they have plenty in common after all- including their love for Lydia
The blended family often spend time together. For Christmas this year, the group are travelling to Virginia to spend time with Summer’s parents
Summer said: ‘We all do holidays together.
‘All of us do family vacations to amusement parks like Universal Studios.’
Summer and JJ tied the knot in June 2022 and Summer found out she was expecting in January 2023.
Dani said: ‘I didn’t react great.
‘It took a day or so to be OK with it.’
Summer and JJ decided to move from Boston to Florida in August 2023 – and Dani was on hand to help throughout the pregnancy.
Summer said: ‘She’s helped with anything and everything we needed.’
The blended family prioritize eight-year-old Lydia, and spend time together on family days out in Florida
Although they have a close relationship – Summer draws the line at talking to Dani about arguments with JJ unless they impact their children
Summer said the birth was ‘beautiful’ and she had Dani there during the labor and straight after the birth.
She had her mother, JJ and Lydia in the room when Sage was born – and Lydia cut the umbilical cord.
She said: ‘I felt so much love.
‘I wanted him to know the same love that Lydia does – from every angle.’
Dani said: ‘It was a really amazing moment.
‘He’s my bonus son.’
Summer wanted her son Sage to feel love from every angle just as Lydia does from herself and Dani
Summer believes that it is her job to ensure the family are ‘blended and beautiful’ and open with one another
Although they have a close relationship – Summer draws the line at talking to Dani about arguments with JJ unless they impact their children.
They have ‘team meetings’ to discuss everything.
Summer said: ‘We talk all the time as a whole group.
‘We’re open with each other.’
Summer hopes Dani can meet someone who will fit into their ‘dynamic’.
Summer said: ‘As a step-parent I made a choice to enter a broken family.
‘It’s my job to make it blended and beautiful.’
Summer, Dani, and JJ have ‘team meetings’ to discuss family matters. Summer hopes that Dani will be able to find a partner who fits the dynamic
The blended family enjoy excursions to amusement parks including Universal Studios together
JJ said: ‘We were mortal enemies.
‘It’s a miracle we are here now.
She added: ‘It’s great to have the team dynamic’.
‘We flipped the switch from enemies to best friends.
‘Anyone can do it.’
