Editors note: This wonderful bit of news was sent in by  Jeri Todtman-Fleekop . If you have similar content for the BocaNews, please send it to us!

I know all of us have heard and told great stories throughout our lifetimes, but I think this is one for the books.  Let’s go to the beginning and you will see how the rest of it unfolds and I believe you will agree that this a heartwarming story for all of you to enjoy and marvel at.  In the summer of 1986, I was introduced to a girl named Iris Schwartz from New Jersey.

We quickly became good friends and almost inseparable when we learned that our babies would be born within a few weeks of each other.  As we all know, this can be a very powerful bond right from the start.

Erica, Iris and Jeff Schwartz’s baby girl was born on September 2, 1986 and my daughter Alyssa Todtman, was born on September 26.  I was there to greet Jeffrey and Iris when they came home with their bundle of joy and naturally, Iris was at my home when I arrived with Alyssa. All of us rejoiced at the very sight of Erica and twenty four days later, we rejoiced at the sight of Alyssa.

Well, need I tell you more?  Of course I will.  Iris and I spent most of our days together with our daughters.  Can you imagine all four blondes, laughing and playing all day long?

Alyssa and Erica have had an incredibly strong bond between the two of all throughout the years and at times, they seem to be tied at the hip . Although they have entirely different lifestyles, from one another, they are on the phone and texting many times during the course of the day.  Alyssa lives in New York City and is an event planner for a large accounting firm and Erica has just become a new mother of a baby girl.  As for Iris and me, we are very close to one another and will always share a special bond because of the time we spent together raising our daughters.  We are able to share the joys of our lives together and this is where the story of Erica, Alyssa, Iris and Jeri gets very emotional.

On Friday, November 11, 2011, Erica went into Boca Regional Hospital to have her baby.  I went there immediately to stay with Iris, Erica and Mark Phillips who is the father of this baby.  While Alyssa was working in New York City, Erica and Mark were in constantly on the phone and texting with her telling her all about the progress of the labor.  Alyssa wanted to know everything that was happening to Erica and to be a part of the miracle of life.  At 5:00, Alyssa raced home to get on the webcam with Erica and Mark and now through modern technology, Erica was able to have her dear friend be with her at the time of the birth of her daughter.  Iris and I would marvel at where we were in our lives and how our lives had come full circle, hardly believing that Erica was about to become a mother.  Erica and Mark allowed Iris and I to stay in the room with them until she was ready to start pushing the baby out and then we were asked to leave.  We wanted to be there with them, but we needed to respect the wishes of the new parents to be.  I called Alyssa and told her that we were no longer in the room with Erica and Mark, and I was sorry that Alyssa was not going to be able to witness the birth of their baby.  Iris and I waited patiently outside of the birthing room and held each other tightly as Erica’s labor progressed.  Little did we know that Erica and Mark had the webcam on for Alyssa to be there with them.The generosity of spirit and the thoughtfulness and consideration that Erica and Mark gave to Alyssa is still so overwhelming to me.  It was given at this most important and beautiful time in their lives.  This is known as a most special and caring friendship.

At 10:50 p.m., I said to Iris, “Erica is going to have the baby at 11:11.” and again at 11:06, I said to Iris, “five more minutes and Erica will have the baby.”  And that is exactly what happened. Arli Dylan was born on 11.11.11 at 11:11 p.m.  How is that for the miracle of numbers?

Oh, by the way, did I mention that the paternal grandmother was born on 11.11?  Her name was Diane Phillips and all of us know that someone very special was looking down on Erica and Mark on this beautiful day and evening.

Congratulations to Jeffrey and Iris Schwartz of Alpine, New Jersey and Dr. Allan Phillips of New Preston, Connecticut.  We are wishing a lot of  happiness  to Erica, Mark and Arli.

Erica and Mark and of course Arli Dylan, Alyssa Todtman and Jeri Todtman-Fleekop love you and we thank you for much for allowing us into your lives at this most personal and beautiful time. You are very dear to us.

Jeri Todtman-Fleekop

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