Less than a week after Christian vloggers Sam and Nia made a viral pregnancy announcement, the young couple shared the devastating news that Nia had suffered a miscarriage.
In a video posted on the Sam and Nia YouTube channel titled "Our Baby Had a Heartbeat", the grieving couple is shown sitting beside one another on a bed as they discuss the heartbreaking development.
"We were just so overjoyed, and then it just - bam. It just hit us like a bomb," Nia said as she wiped away tears. "The hardest part is just knowing that it's really gone. There's no question."
"Those of you who have experienced miscarriage before, I can now, I can relate now," she said. "I have felt my womb empty out. I never, ever, ever knew women felt that way."
Last week, the Texas couple shared that there were expecting a third child in a video where Sam surprised Nia by telling her she was pregnant before she even officially knew.
In the video, titled "First Time Ever Daddy Announces the Pregnancy to Mommy," Sam used an overnight urine sample of Nia's to complete a pregnancy test and announce the results to his unsuspecting wife. While Nia didn't believe him at first, she eventually came around and took a second pregnancy test to verify. The video quickly went viral, garnering more than 10 million views.
The pair, who strive to "live for God" according to their Facebook page, revealed they are relying on their deep faith to carry them through this difficult time.
"We're so hurt but we're so thankful that God used us like this," Sam says in the second YouTube video.
"I agree with Sam but I just feel so annoyed with myself that I didn't take a second test sooner, because I felt like I was pregnant sooner than this and I just kept waiting and waiting because I always think I'm pregnant and I didn't want to be that way this time," added Nia. "I could have bonded with her longer.
"I just want to say too maybe there's someone out there that's going through this with us," she continued. "The Bible says to weep with those who weep and mourn with those who mourn, and I am mourning with those of you who are feeling this."
"I just hope this video continues to be a way for God to shine his light to the world through us," Sam said. "This is a time when especially the U.S. needs that light and God knew that."
In a later interview with People Magazine, the pair revealed that telling their 5-year-old daughter about the loss was hardest of all.
"She was heartbroken, right away she understood. We told her the baby has 'Gone to Jesus,' " says Nia, adding that their younger child is nearly 2 and wasn't really aware of the situation.
However, both Sam and Nia hope to someday expand their family, and told the news outlet that if Nia becomes pregnant again, they'll announce it just as quickly.
"We don't regret it at all, especially considering miscarriage is such a taboo subject. A lot of people feel they need to wait to announce their pregnancy but when you're pregnant, you're pregnant," said Sam. "It shouldn't be something people need to hide."
