2 Women Share an Unexpected Bond Over a Necklace Honoring a Lost Baby

PJ-Darl Rivera Macalintal and her husband were preparing for their baby just like most other expectant parents — buying cute shoes and outfits, prepping the nursery — when they found out at 24 weeks that their baby girl no longer had a heartbeat. PJ delivered her daughter, Darliza, on July 10, 2016 and months later would share an instant bond with a stranger that would serve as a blessing amid her grief.

"I was helping a lady on the till at the pharmacy today when she told me how beautiful my necklace was. In an instant, my eyes burned with tears," wrote PJ, in a post she submitted to the Love What Matters Facebook page alongside a photo of a heart necklace stamped with footprints. "I tried hard to compose myself and still be professional, thanked her, and asked, 'Did you have one, too?' She said yes and automatically we had this connection. Her hands reached for my hand and she told me that I am going to be a wonderful mom. Oh, it was a precious moment."

The necklace, which features baby Darliza's footprints, was all it took to spark a sudden and heartbreaking connection between the two women. "I guess all of us mommas who have angel babies will always connect; we are complete strangers but having gone through the same grief, suddenly we know each other so much deeper than our long time friends."