A Texas couple is celebrating what they describe as a once-in-a-lifetime blessing—the arrival of the first daughter in their family after more than a century of only boys.
Michael Sherman, 34, a lieutenant with the Montgomery Fire Department, and his wife Joacquia Sherman, 32, said they were shocked when they learned their second child would be a girl.
“We didn’t think it was quite possible for us to even have a girl,” Joacquia told ABC News. “I just knew if we had another child, it was going to be a boy, so I was very surprised.”
The couple already share a 5-year-old son, Mekhai, who is eagerly anticipating becoming a big brother.
“I think he’ll be a great big brother and a great leader. He’s definitely looking forward to meeting his new sister,” Michael said.
The Shermans revealed that the last girl born into Michael’s family was in 1917—his late great-aunt Orah Belle Sherman, a strong figure in Atlanta’s Civil Rights movement.
Michael admitted he was stunned during the gender reveal, which turned into a much bigger celebration than expected.
“Going into it, I took the blindfold off and there’s a camera crew, and there’s family from all over the United States. It was a huge surprise on top of me finding out that it’s a girl. So it was pretty amazing.”
Joacquia, who works with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, said she orchestrated the surprise to make the rare moment extra special.
The expectant mother is due around March 11, 2026, and both parents say they are overwhelmed with gratitude.
“It’s a blessing,” Michael said. “After 100 years, to have this moment it feels really special.”
