Two Louisiana families are forever linked by a baby boy who entered their lives at a time when both were at a crossroads in their lives.
CBS News’ David Begnaud returned to his hometown of Lafayette, Louisiana, to bring us this story. Kingston James Hall, the baby boy, was born to Connie Despanie and Benjamin Hall, but he lacked a middle name.
The couple got the idea for a middle name after receiving a handwritten letter from a woman who had just lost her 86-year-old father in the hospital. Jamie Fontenot penned the letter on the same day her father died in the same hospital.
Fontenot was inspired to write the letter after hearing lullaby music playing over the hospital’s PA system to commemorate the birth of a baby. Kingston was born at 10:40 a.m., only a few minutes after Fontenot’s father died. “Someone said, ‘Well then, that’s dad’s angel,'” she explained to Begnaud in 2018.
Dr. Jennifer Pugliese and nurse Cydney Begnaud, who assisted in Kingston’s birth on Jan. 12, 2018, received the letter, which read, “To my dad’s angel, even though I will never know your name, you are the first child born here after my dad’s passing.” One life is taken, and another is given. Please remember my father in your prayers.”
Pugliese gave the letter to the new mother. “She began reading it silently, and tears streamed down her cheeks.” “It was really lovely,” Pugliese said.
Fontenot’s father’s name was James Lee Grimmett, and the baby’s parents named him Kingston James Hall.
“I came in and then the dad says, ‘Oh, we found our middle name!'” said nurse Cydney Begnaud. And I’m like, ‘OK, what is it?’ “And he says, ‘Well, of course, it’s James!” she exclaimed. Cydney Begnaud arranged an emotional meeting between Fontenot and the family. She is David Begnaud’s mother, and she is the one who suggested the story to CBS News.
Now, four years later, the families are still connected by a special bond formed by the letter. Begnaud finally caught up with them, including Kingston, who is now four years old and has started pre-school.
David Begnaud of CBS was able to attend the families’ reunion four years later. Fontenot stated that she was keeping track of Kingston’s milestones and had put together a special picture book for his baptism. “I wanted something set in stone that he could have over time, that he could look back on when he was born,” she explained.
Despanie, his mother, said he was proud of his name. “He loves to say his name,” Despanie said. “He’ll introduce himself as ‘Kingston James Hall…'” I can’t even describe it because he’s here, and he was also blessed with the arrival of an angel.”
When asked by David what the story means to other people, they all said the same thing: “That good things still happen, that strangers can become family,” Fontenot said. “Like everybody can come together and love one another unconditionally without even knowing each other,” Despanie said.
