Willie Nellen was scheduled to work at Molson Coors ("Miller" to Milwaukeeans) on Wednesday, but he never made it to work because just hours before his shift was to begin, his wife, Izzy, went into labor.
"If Izzy wouldn't have gone into labor, I would have reported to work like any other Wednesday," says Nellen, a supply chain process lead for the company.
Baby Eloise Mary was born healthy and beautiful at 1:27 p.m. at Froedert Hospital.
"I was absolutely over the moon, but shortly after her birth, the texts started coming in about the tragedy," says Nellen. "I had an immediate pit in my stomach."
Eloise joins brothers George, 5, and Henry 2. Izzy and the baby girl are doing well, but obviously Izzy struggles with the "what ifs" of the situation. "It's too overwhelming to think about right now," she says.
Baby Eloise Mary's grandmother and one of her namesakes, Mary Nellen, expressed the polarity of feelings the family is experiencing.
"Our hearts are full of joy with this new bundle, but we are all still shook at the would haves, could haves, and all the lives that were lost to a senseless act. We will continue to pray for these families and thank the Good Lord for his grace with ours," she says. "Hug your families. Hell, hug everyone."
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
