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Former Disney Star & Wife Welcome Baby After 3 Miscarriages, Says Pope Francis Predicted Baby

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We always love “Where are they now?” child actor (or actress) stories — especially when those stories serve up so much inspiration.

If you weren’t part of the generation who grew up watching Disney Channel’s Wizards of Waverly Place, chances are you knew a kid who did.

 

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Throwing it way back this #TBT, I forgot to wish @selenagomez happy bday online (but we texted) so happppy belated bday and happy #TBT!

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David Henrie, who played Justin Russo on the popular series which aired from 2007 to 2012, has grown up since his magical days on set with Selena Gomez.

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In 2017, Henrie married the woman he calls his “best friend.”

“In order to even be at a place where we could marry, we had to fight for it,” Henrie shared of his wife Maria on their 1 year anniversary in 2018.

 

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April 21st, 2017 was the greatest day of my life, and today marks the greatest year of my life. When I randomly grabbed these boxing gloves before I entered the reception, I thought it was a joke, but looking back on it now I think it’s much more symbolic then I realized… cause in order to even be at a place where we could marry, we had to fight for it. When we met, Maria and I both knew that the goal of getting to know one another was to see if we were meant to marry… the goal was not to hook up or chill… and that meant we had to do things different then then “swipe right” culture we live in… and that took work, self-restraint and a genuine love which always puts the other person first… the result of this process: I found my best friend first… and that’s the women I am honored to journey through life, ready to battle anything that faces us, until death do we part… here’s to many more – and it’s my prayer that we can all find our best friends to journey through life with! Photo by: @christineskariphotography

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Did you watch 'Wizards of Waverly Place?'

Their relationship isn’t the only thing this sweet couple fought for. The pair also struggled when it came to growing their family.

“My wife and I went through trials,” Henrie wrote on Instagram. “I felt compelled to share this because I had no clue just how difficult trying to start a family could be.”

“Maria and I suffered three miscarriages before finally being able to carry Pia to full term,” Henrie explained as he and Maria celebrated the birth of their newborn daughter.

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“While it was insanely difficult recovering from miscarriage after miscarriage,” he went on, “we knew if we were ever going to be able to hold a baby of our own in our arms that we must not let the tragedy affect our marriage, but rather grow closer together!”

 

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Today is a particularly special day for Maria and I… and it’s special because in order to get to where we are today, with the joy of our newborn in our arms, my wife and I went through trials. I felt compelled to share this because I had no clue just how difficult trying to start a family could be. See, Pia Philomena Francesca Henrie has brothers and sisters… Maria and I suffered three miscarriages before finally being able to carry Pia to full term. While it was insanely difficult recovering from miscarriage after miscarriage, we knew if we were ever going to be able to hold a baby of our own in our arms that we must not let the tragedy affect our marriage, but rather grow closer together! We stayed faithful to that conviction and had a little help from @franciscus. The reason Pia’s middle name is Francesca is because I personally asked pope Francis to pray for Maria and I to have a baby. He took our hands, held them together, said a special blessing, then looked up and told me not to worry that a baby would be coming – that was pretty much exactly nine months ago. For all those who are struggling #pray #hope and #dontworry !! Always.

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In the end, Henrie said it was a prayer from someone very important that helped the miracle along. “We stayed faithful to that conviction and had a little help from @franciscus.”

As it turns out, Pia Philomena Francesca Henrie gets her middle name from Pope Francis, who Henrie says “said a special blessing” for him and his wife after he asked the pope to pray that they would have a child.

We are so in love with this sweet family and so happy to see their prayers answered. Henrie also gave a possible clue as to why Pia was given her first name as well.

“For all those who are struggling, #pray #hope and #dontworry !!” he wrote, which just so happens to be a famous quote from none other than St. “Padre” Pio of Pietrelcina.

This little girl clearly is loved and blessed. We wish the Henrie family all the best as they grow together in faith, prayer, and love.

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Sarah Carri is an avid reader and social media guru with a passion for truth and life. Her writing has previously been published in print and online by Focus on the Family and other well known media outlets. Her experience in ministry and Disney entertainment gives her a unique perspective on such topics.
Sarah Carri is an avid reader and social media guru with a passion for truth and life. Her writing has previously been published in print and online by Focus on the Family and other well known media outlets. Her experience in ministry and Disney entertainment gives her a unique perspective on such topics.

Sarah's experience as a successful working stay-at-home mom and business owner has given her the chance to write and research often. She stays up to date on the latest in entertainment and offers her views on celebrity stories based on her wide knowledge of the industry. Her success as a former preschool teacher and licensed daycare provider lend to her know-how on topics relating to parenting and childhood education.

Her thoughts on faith and family issues stem from home life and ministry work. Sarah takes time to attend workshops and classes annually that help her to improve and hone her writing craft. She is a graduate of the Institute of Children's Literature program and her writing has been acclaimed by ACFW and ECPA.
Education
Institute of Children's Literature, Art Institute of Phoenix (Advertising), University of California Irvine (Theater), Snow College (Early Childhood Education)
Location
Arizona
Languages Spoken
English
Topics of Expertise
Entertainment, Faith




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