Chris Hilton saw his newborn daughter for the first time the moment she was born.
Yet it was not an entirely ideal introduction for Baby Natalia and her daddy. When the child took her first breath of life in a Salt Lake-area delivery room, Brother Hilton was thousands of miles away in Bosnia performing his military duty as an American soldier.
A real-time Internet video transmission between the Utah hospital and Bosnia allowed Brother Hilton to see his newborn daughter's face. Yet the Utah man, who serves in his home state's national guard, is still waiting to hold and hug his firstborn child. Like many LDS servicemen and women, Brother Hilton is away from family while helping to protect the world from terror.
Brother Hilton calls home whenever he can "and we always pray over the telephone," said his wife, Claudia.
The Hiltons knew a deployment for Chris was likely following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States. Still, the separation is hard.
"It's a very difficult time for me," says Sister Hilton. "No one can replace my husband."
Trish Bello understands. Sister Bello's husband, Craig, is also serving his country far from his West Jordan, Utah, home and family. The Bellos have three young daughters.
"We're proud of him for going, but we miss him," Sister Bello said.
Both men come from strong LDS backgrounds. Brother Hilton served a full-time mission in Chile, while Brother Bello completed a Spanish-speaking mission in Florida.
Sister Bello said her husband's military deployment has been especially difficult for their 6-year-old daughter, Katelyn. The little girl colors pictures for Dad and looks forward to his phone calls and post cards.
Sister Hilton and Sister Bello say they have found strength during a trying time in their personal testimonies.
Despite the distance between them, Sister Hilton says she and her husband have continued their family scripture study. Whenever they speak on the phone they swap thoughts and insights from what they have read in the Book of Mormon.
The Bellos have been sustained "by our belief in God and prayer," Sister Bello said.
Both women say their respective priesthood and Relief Society leaders have looked after them.
"The Church members have been wonderful; they support us so much," said Sister Hilton, adding that her mother — who is not LDS — has been touched by the fellowship of the Hiltons' fellow ward members.
E-mail: jswensen@desnews.com
