Former model Erica Mena has announced the arrival of her third child. The model, who appeared on Love & Hip Hop: New York, shared that her newborn is spending time in the NICU. She penned an emotional post to reveal the news.
Erica started off her post by sharing that she is a “new NICU mommy” and revealed her newborn’s name. She welcomed a son, who is her second child with her husband, rapper Safaree Samuels. The name they have chosen for their son is Legend Brian Samuels.
Erica shared that she and Legend were on day 10 of their NICU journey and that they are both “staying STRONG.” She continued by vulnerably revealing her emotions. “So far five out of the ten days I felt lost. I’m feeling guilty, confused, and scared. I’ve been getting phone calls and receiving messages. I’m asked a million times how I’m doing and if I’m ok. But how can you be doing? Can you really be ok right now? BUT I remind myself, they love me and they are reaching out BECAUSE they love me. They might not understand, but they want to. This journey I’m on feels long. It has been tough. I’m taking steps forward, and I’m taking some back. I have good days, and I’m preparing for the bad ones.”
She continued by sharing what she is looking forward to after this difficult ordeal is in the past. “Looking forward too……..
Those days when you feel like your world is falling apart, they will pass.
Those moments where you don’t recognize the person in the mirror, they will pass.
The days you haven’t eaten, showered, slept.
The guilt of not preventing this, of not being able to fix it either.
It will pass.
You will eat good again, you will shower long and get some good rest.
You will be able to look in the mirror, and not cry.
You will be able to talk about it. You will accept it.
You will stop blaming yourself!”
The end of her post also eluded to challenges she may be facing with Safaree, whom Erica also called out for cheating with Joe Budden’s ex Kaylin Garcia in a now-deleted Instagram Story. The model completed Legend’s announcement post by writing, “This whole experience has taught how important it is to protect my peace. How important it is to turn my pain into power. It has also given me a different type of strength for not only me but my kids. King – Safire – Legend I promise you your mommy will make you proud. No more settling and fighting for anything that doesn’t deserve me only because you three forever deserve the best of me.”
We wish Erica lots of love and strength as Legend is cared for in the NICU. We hope he is able to be welcomed home soon!
Kate Fann (she/her) is the BabyNames.com celebrity blogger, as well as an established content writer, aspiring author, and social media expert. She has been featured in online publications such as Bolde, ManoByte, Medium, The Social Observer, and more. Kate has ghostwritten numerous romance novels and is currently working on publishing her own works in the Young Adult genre.
Kate lives in East Tennessee with her husband Casey and her two sons, Quinn and Noah. When she's not writing or scrolling Instagram, Kate can be found tasting delicious wines, playing with make-up, baking yummy treats, or hiking the beautiful Smoky Mountains.
