My husband’s ex-wife was my birth doula – she helps me with breastfeeding and she is like a third parent to my baby
A new mother invited her husband’s ex-wife to be her birth doula, and she helped her with breastfeeding, changing the newborn’s diapers and being the baby’s “third parent.”
Summer Trent Garcia, 28, who lives in Sarasota, Florida, hasn’t always had a close relationship with her husband’s ex, Dani Walsh, 29.
Summer met her husband, JJ Garcia, 32, a professional fighter, just a few months after breaking away from his decade-long relationship with Dani, an officer manager.
Dani – who shares daughter Lydia Garcia, 8, with JJ – initially felt ‘resentment’ for Summer and blamed her for their split at the time.
But when JJ proposed to Summer, she convinced Dani to go out for drinks and they hit it off – realizing they had a lot in common and a shared love for Lydia.
Summer Trent Garcia (center right) invited her husband JJ Garcia’s (right) ex-wife, Dani Walsh (left), to be her birth doula. JJ and Dani already share a child, Lydia Garcia (middle right)
Now they consider each other best friends and go out for drinks, food and getting their nails done together.
Summer became pregnant with her son Sage, now a month old, in January 2023 and said Dani was there for her throughout the pregnancy – rubbing her shoulders and answering her questions.
The entire blended family was there when Sage was born on September 13, 2023, weighing 7 lbs and 15 oz. Dani is now ready to help Summer with breastfeeding, changing diapers and cooking dinner.
Summer, a personal trainer, said: ‘Things were really bad between us at first.
‘Now she’s one of my best friends.
“She had a baby with JJ and she also knows what it’s like to carry his child.
‘She gave me tips and answered my questions. She rubbed my shoulders.
‘The moment I went into labor, Lydia came to the hospital. It was beautiful.
Dani traveled to the hospital as soon as Lydia went into labor to help her during the birth. Dani is pictured above with new baby, Sage Garcia
At first, Dani hated Summer and blamed her for her failed relationship with JJ, which was on and off for ten years.
When JJ proposed to Summer, she convinced Dani to go out for drinks and they hit it off – realizing they had a lot in common and a shared love for Lydia. Now the blended family often spends time together
‘Now Dani helps me with breastfeeding and changing diapers.
“She’s basically another parent to Sage too.”
Dani said: ‘I helped her with the birth.
“I was her doula. I wanted to be there to help with the contractions.’
Summer met JJ at the gym in May 2018 and initially struggled to get along with Dani.
She said: ‘Her and JJ had been broken up for a few months so it was really new.
JJ popped the question to Summer on Thanksgiving 2020 and Lydia knew she wanted to continue trying to build a relationship with Dani for Lydia’s sake.
Now the couple consider each other best friends and go out for drinks, dinner and getting their nails done together
“They had been on and off for years.
“In her eyes, I was the reason they broke up for a while.”
Dani said: ‘It was difficult for me to get someone in the picture.
‘I wanted to reject her love. There was resentment.”
JJ popped the question to Summer on Thanksgiving 2020, and Lydia knew she wanted to continue trying to build a relationship with Dani — for Lydia’s sake.
She said: ‘By the time we got engaged I said ‘we’re going to have to talk whether you like it or not’.
While Dani took a day to process the news that Summer and JJ were having a child together, she cared for Summer throughout the pregnancy
The pair both have a lot in common, including an avid interest in spirituality and wellness trends
The whole blended family was there when Sage was born on September 13, 2023, weighing 7 lbs.
‘Lydia deserves to have people who communicate.
‘We met for drinks and realized we had a lot in common.
‘Our friendship took off.
‘We have similar views on spirituality and well-being. Our personalities meshed really well together.”
The friends started meeting and now consider each other best friends.
Summer said, “We’re going to have drinks, dinner, and get our nails done.”
Dani has been able to rekindle her friendship with JJ and they can all hang out: spending holidays together and going on trips to amusement parks as the four of them.
This year, Dani is going to visit Summer’s family for Thanksgiving in Virginia, and they will all spend Christmas together.
Summer and Dani realized they have a lot in common, including their love for Lydia
The blended family often spends time together. For Christmas this year, the group travels to Virginia to spend time with Summer’s parents
Summer said: “We all do holidays together.
“We all do family vacations to theme parks like Universal Studios.”
Summer and JJ got married in June 2022 and Summer found out she was expecting in January 2023.
Dani said: ‘I didn’t react great.
“It took me a day or so to come to terms with it.”
Summer and JJ decided to move from Boston to Florida in August 2023 – and Dani was on hand to help during the pregnancy.
Summer said, “She helped us with everything we needed.”
The blended family prioritizes eight-year-old Lydia and spends time together on family days out in Florida
Although they have a close relationship, Summer draws the line at talking to Dani about fights with JJ unless they affect their children
Summer said the birth was “beautiful” and that she had Dani there during the birth and immediately after the birth.
She had her mom, JJ, and Lydia in the room when Sage was born – and Lydia cut the umbilical cord.
She said: ‘I felt so much love.
“I wanted him to know the same love that Lydia had – from every angle.”
Dani said: ‘It was a really great moment.
“He’s my bonus son.”
Summer wanted her son Sage to feel love from every angle, just like Lydia does to herself and Dani
Summer believes it is her job to ensure that the family is ‘blended and beautiful’ and open to each other
Although they have a close relationship, Summer draws the line at talking to Dani about arguments with JJ unless they affect their children.
They have ‘team meetings’ to discuss everything.
Summer said, “We talk as a whole group all the time.
‘We are open to each other.’
Summer hopes Dani can meet someone who fits their ‘dynamic’.
Summer said, “As a stepparent, I chose to be in a broken home.
“My job is to make it nice and beautiful.”
Summer, Dani and JJ have ‘team meetings’ to discuss family matters. Summer hopes Dani can find a partner who fits the dynamic
The blended family enjoys excursions to theme parks together, including Universal Studios
JJ said, “We were mortal enemies.
‘It’s a miracle we’re here now.
She added: “It’s great to have the team dynamic.”
“We’ve made the transition from enemies to best friends.
‘Anyone can do it.’