Having a family is perhaps one of the most fulfilling accomplishments one can ever have. It is comforting to know that your family will always be there through thick and thin and of course, during the happiest and important times in your life.
While most couples are okay with having 2-3 children, one Michigan couple decided to have a really big family of their own.
Jay and Kateri Schwandt, both 45, have been together since their freshman year in high school. The couple tied the knot in 1993 before they attended Ferris State University. It seems that at an early age they already knew that they belong with each other as they already have three kids even before earning their diplomas.
Raising children at such a young age didn’t hinder the couple to achieve their dreams at all as they were both able to pursue their dreams. Kateri earned a master’s degree in social work from Grand Valley State University while Jay studied law at Western Michigan University’s Thomas M. Cooley Law School.
From then on, the couple went ahead and gave birth to more children, coming to a total of 14 boys.
Finally, the miracle that they were waiting for finally arrived.
It seems that the 15th time’s the charm as the family welcomed a beautiful baby girl named Maggie Jayne. Kateri gave birth last November 5 at Mercy Health Saint Mary’s Hospital in Grand Rapids.
Jay and Kateri were overwhelmed with happiness since they didn’t expect to have a daughter after having 14 sons consecutively.
“We are overjoyed and beyond excited to add Maggie Jayne to our family,” Jay, 45, told outlet. “This year has been memorable in so many ways, for so many reasons, but Maggie is the greatest gift we could ever imagine.”
They are already parents to sons Tyler, Zach, Drew, Brandon, Tommy, Vinny, Calvan, Gabe, Wesley, Charlie, Luke, Tucker, Francisco, and Finley, whose ages range from 2½ to 28 years old.
“My parents were finally blessed with the little girl they never thought they’d end up having. It’s been about 12 hours since my dad told us, and I still haven’t quite wrapped my mind around it,” their eldest son, Tyler, recently told the Detroit Free Press.
Their story soon became headlines, but this is not the first time the family faced the camera. Local news has featured them multiple times as their family grows, plus they also have their own live streaming show called “14 Outdoorsmen”.
It seems that the boys will have to make certain adjustments now that they have a sister at home but they may already have an idea or two on how to look after her since Jay and Kateri welcomed their granddaughter, Luciana Joan to the household two years ago.
Jay, the head of the household also mentioned when his granddaughter came out, “I always wondered what it would be like to have a girl in our house. We’re about to find out.”
Almost two decades later, the loving couple finally has their own daughter. We’re pretty sure that Maggie will receive tons of love and support not only from her parents but also from her brothers. We can only imagine what’s life like inside this big family’s household, but we’re certain that it’s filled with love, joy, and happiness.
Watch the video below to learn more about this big family.
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