Professional surfer and shark attack survivor Bethany Hamilton has given birth to her fourth child, and her first girl — Alaya Dorothy.
Earlier this year, Hamilton announced she was expecting her fourth baby on Instagram with a touching caption that pointed out the value of every life. “Adam and I, and our whole fam, are so excited to be growing our family! I believe that life is a gift, and each and every life has value,” she wrote, adding, “Every single human life is fearfully and wonderfully made, and I believe should be viewed that way! How beautiful to know you were intentionally made by God. It can bring so much meaning to your life: that you are loved. That you are wonderful. That you have purpose. That you are no accident.”
She later added a picture of her cradling her baby bump, and wrote, “The blessing of being able to bear, and sustain a new life is never lost on me.”
Hamilton has shared many photos and videos throughout her pregnancy, including rollerblading three weeks before she gave birth while pushing one of her children in a stroller. In another sweet video, she zoomed in on her stomach to show her baby moving, with the caption, “There is absolutely no comparison to growing a precious human life. Grateful to be a mother.”
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She also shared the news of her baby girl, writing, “We are feeling really grateful to God for the blessing of family. We are honored for this opportunity to raise our children, to love, serve, protect and guide them through life!”
Hamilton shot to fame after she lost her left arm in a 2003 shark attack while surfing at the age of 13. Within a month, she had returned to surfing including competing competitively again, and was one of the best female surfers in the world. She won the ESPY Award for Best Comeback Athlete, as well as the Courage Teen Choice Award, and competed on “The Amazing Race” with her husband, Adam Dirks, placing third.
Her inspirational story become even more well-known after a movie, titled “Soul Surfer,” was released, with actress AnnaSophia Robb portraying Hamilton. A new documentary, “Bethany Hamilton: Unstoppable” is set to be released soon as well. Yet she has made it clear that her family is her biggest blessing.
“8 years in to motherhood, I’ve realized that I value my children more than I value ‘my’ time. I value my family more than I value other things like certain types of wealth or success. I believe a joy-filled family is wealth, and to know God, that is the most beautiful and precious wealth of all. We can pursue so many things in life, but what if we pursued what is right in front of us: the beautiful blessing that is family?!” she wrote. “To those of you that know this blessing, I hope you are reminded and encouraged to fully embrace your gifts too. Adam and I are overjoyed and looking forward to welcoming our little bundle of joy this summer!”
