Shanel and Chad Robertson credit each other鈥檚 strength, and a lot of adrenaline, for getting them through the roadside delivery of their baby daughter early Tuesday morning.

The Lee Creek couple left for the hospital in Salmon Arm just after 1 a.m. on Aug. 3. When they reached Tappen, Shanel, in labour, said her water broke. They made it across the Salmon River Bridge before they knew it was time to stop. Chad pulled off Highway 1 into the DeMille鈥檚 Farm Market parking lot. He got out of the vehicle and ran around to Shanel.

鈥淚 could see the (baby鈥檚) head and proceeded to call 911,鈥� said Chad. 鈥淚 was begging for someone to come here. I remember probably yelling in the phone at some time, just for someone to please help us.鈥�

Though an ambulance was on the way, it wouldn鈥檛 arrive before the baby, and the person at the other end of the phone proceeded to guide Chad through what would be a successful delivery.

鈥淚 had no idea what I was doing,鈥� said Chad. 鈥淚 remember them asking if the baby was breathing afterward and of course there are those moments when you鈥檙e uncertain. The baby didn鈥檛 cry at first. It felt like an hour, but it was probably just 10 seconds. And I remember just sheer panic. But it all worked out, the baby started crying, they calmed me down and we went through the process from there.鈥�

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At 2:27 a.m. on Aug. 3, Shanel gave birth to Trinity Jolee Robertson, 8 lbs, 3 oz and 20.8 inches.

An ambulance arrived around 15 minutes later.

鈥淚t was a life-changing experience for sure,鈥� said Shanel. 鈥淲e鈥檝e been through a lot of things together but this one really tops it all.鈥�

At 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 4, the couple returned to DeMille鈥檚 with their son Daxton, 2, and their daughter Trinity. Owner Brad DeMille and staff greeted the family with congratulations and gifts.

鈥淚n 51 years we鈥檝e never seen this happen,鈥� said DeMille of the birth. 鈥淎 few farm animals here and there but never people that walk on two legs.鈥�

The Robertsons said they often bring Daxton to visit the animals at DeMille鈥檚, and expect they will continue to visit as a family of four.

As Daxton was playing with the baby goats, Shanel reflected on the whole experience.

鈥淟ooking back on it, it was very intense at the moment, but it鈥檚 a cool story that we鈥檒l all have,鈥� said Shanel.

鈥淚 think it was meant to be,鈥� replied Chad. 鈥淚 think it was what we were supposed to be doing.鈥�

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