It’s hard to put into words how we feel when we find out we’re going to be parents for the first time. Whether it’s planned or a surprise, most of us are simply overjoyed at the idea of starting a family.

Naturally, the first thing that comes to mind is hope. We picture what our child might look like, what life lessons we want to share, and the overwhelming emotion of holding them in our arms for the first time.

Sadly, not every pregnancy ends in the happiness we all envision. Carlos Morales from Phoenix, Arizona, knows this all too well.

Carlos and his wife, Erica Morales, seemed like a perfect couple. They first met in 2006 at a nightclub in Scottsdale, Arizona, despite a language barrier—Carlos didn’t speak English, and Erica didn’t speak Spanish. However, they felt a strong connection from the beginning.

Rumor has it they danced the night away that first evening. At the end of the night, Carlos handed Erica a piece of paper with his phone number, leaving it up to her whether she would reach out.

Fate intervened when Erica lost his number, but they reconnected through mutual friends. Their bond grew even stronger, and Carlos made an effort to learn English, while Erica picked up Spanish so they could communicate better.

The two were married in Las Vegas in 2007 and soon started trying for a family. Their first attempt ended in heartache with a miscarriage. But with the help of fertility treatments, Erica became pregnant again—this time with quadruplets.

The news was both shocking and thrilling. Over the next several months, Carlos and Erica prepared to welcome four babies into their lives. Carlos took extra care of Erica as her pregnancy progressed, juggling household chores and supporting her as best as he could.

Then, on January 12, 2015, Erica was rushed to the hospital due to high blood pressure. She texted Carlos, telling him the doctors wanted to deliver the babies right away. Carlos hurried to her side, and they took photos and videos to capture the moment.

The couple shared a kiss before Erica was taken to the delivery room. Little did Carlos know that their lives were about to change forever.

Their four babies—three girls and one boy—were delivered by C-section. However, shortly after giving birth, Erica suffered from hypovolemic shock, a condition that causes extreme blood and fluid loss.

Alarms went off as nurses rushed in, and Carlos was asked to wait outside. An hour later, the doctor gave him the devastating news: Erica had passed away.

Carlos was heartbroken but had to stay strong for his newborns. He named the babies Carlos Jr., Paisley, Tracey, and Erica, in honor of his late wife. On January 16, 2015, he brought two of his babies home. The other two joined them on March 11.

Despite his grief, Carlos knew he had to be there for his children. He attended baby care classes, learned how to bathe, feed, and care for his quadruplets, and even became certified in CPR.

Erica’s mother, Sondra Bridges, moved in with Carlos to help care for her grandchildren. “It’s bittersweet,” she said. “But we’ve made it through, thanks to God and the support of the community.”

Carlos’s journey has been a rollercoaster of emotions, and his strength through such a challenging time is truly inspiring.