Nico Tortorella and Wife Bethany C. Meyers Share Journey to Welcoming Baby No. 2 in the 'Middle of Hurricane Milton' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Courtesy of Nico Tortorella and Bethany C. Meyers

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Nico Tortorella and Bethany C. Meyers.Courtesy of Nico Tortorella and Bethany C. Meyers

“I’m forever grateful to my birth team, my husband, my daughter, and my son for holding space for me to carry out the most transformative experience of my life,” she said.

In his own essay, Nico, 36, shares the moment he learned that his wife was in labor.

“After our daughter Kilmer was born, we decided to move to Florida. Against all odds, we knew the Sunshine State was home. With much of our family migrating south, having kids almost demands that closeness. It’s one of the best decisions we’ve ever made.”

“Ironically, the day we arrived in Florida, our second child was conceived. After years of struggling with infertility to conceive Kilmer, our little dude showed up almost effortlessly. Everything felt exactly as it should be.”

“We’ve always known that hurricanes and Florida go hand in hand. As October approached, and our due date neared, we had to discuss our home birth plans during a storm, living on a barrier island in an obvious evacuation zone. When Hurricane Helene swept through Florida and headed north, the devastation was heartbreaking. Then came Milton. Living on the east coast, we thought we’d be okay, but storms have a way of surprising you. On October 9th, we decided to evacuate. Accessibility was key; if our bridges closed, our birth team wouldn’t make it to us.”

“So we packed up — shutters down, birth tent deconstructed (the same one Kilmer was born in), and our car filled to the brim. We threw our two-pound chihuahua in the car with us. Crossing the bridge was the scariest five minutes of my life, and we didn’t expect the tornadoes. As soon as we got in the car, the sirens echoed through the vehicle, ricocheting off the ocean waves. Tornadoes were close.”

“Pesce means fish in Italian — how fitting. We moved to Florida, weathered the storm and our little fish was born. Like fish thriving in turbulent waters, we found strength and clarity amidst the chaos.”

“This land, with its storms and beauty, anchored us, revealing our resilience and deepening our connection to one another. To honor the storm is to honor my family; both have the power to shape us and make us stronger. We are forever grateful and in awe of this journey. In gratitude, forever. All of it is you.”

source: people.com