"...our beloved Sheinelle will be returning to the show.”
Matthew Okula capped off an emotional August with a vulnerable video of him and his 5-month old son.
The first-time father, who works for the Los Angeles Fire Department, was married to nursing influencer Hailey Okula — best known as Nurse Hailey on social media — up until her tragic death on March 29.
Hailey died from childbirth complications moments after welcoming the couple’s first baby.
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On Aug. 27, Matthew took to his wife’s popular Instagram account to share a heartbreaking update on what life is like as he and his son Crew approached the five-month mark of his wife’s death.
“I promised I’d be transparent and share the good and the bad, so here it is,” he wrote in the caption.
The black-and-white video, which was taken from a baby monitor inside Crew’s nursery, shows clips of Matthew holding his son in a reclining chair as he wipes tears from his eyes.
“Some nights I’m crying in the dark, wishing she could be here to hold him, to see him, to live the life she worked so hard for,” Matthew continued in the caption.
“It’s all so bittersweet,” he added. “We miss and love you, Hailey.”
Fans, followers and friends took to the comment section to share prayers and offer their condolences.
“Oh brother,” wrote Rory McKenna, who lost his sister Rachel on January 31, per the NZ Herald.
“I can only pray that you be filled with a divine peace and that your wifey shines in your son. Sending prayers tonight man,” he added. “Dm me if you’re struggling please — sincerely another grieving man.”
Matthew Okula’s update comes three weeks after wife’s birthday
Matthew has continued to honor his wife’s legacy on social media in the five months since her passing.
He has opened up about the loss on multiple occasions, shared clips from numerous candlelight vigils and has continued to share updates as his son grows and develops.
“You’re my inspiration for everything, and I carry you with me in everything I do. Please keep watching over me and Crew,” he wrote in a Mother’s Day post on Instagram on May 11.
“She made me a father. She gave everything to bring Crew into this world. And I’ve never been more proud of her,” he added in a Father’s Day tribute on June 15.
August has been an especially eventful (and emotional) month for the father and son, who went on their first camping trip together with friends and family.
“This was something Hailey and I dreamed about from the moment we found out we were going to be parents,” he wrote in a recap video posted on Aug. 3.
“We used to talk about all the places we’d go and the memories we’d make as a family,” he added. “It’s heartbreaking doing this without her.”
On Aug. 7, he posted a video of him walking with his son on the beach in honor of Hailey’s birthday.
“Celebrating you today just how you would want. Surrounded by family, Panda Express, and way too many desserts,” he wrote in the caption.
“We miss you more than words can say, but we’ll never stop honoring you in the little things you loved,” he added.
Two weeks later, Matthew and Crew got to meet one of his and his wife’s favorite country music artists Coffey Anderson at one of his beach concerts, which he attended with his little one.
Matthew has also continued his wife’s legacy by running her business, RN New Grads.
The company, formed in 2019, is “committed to helping new graduate nurses and nursing students succeed and create a safe place for all nurses,” according to its website.
He also raises awareness about amniotic fluid embolism (AFE), which ultimately led to his wife’s death.
AFE is “occurs when a pregnant woman gets amniotic fluid into their bloodstream just before, during or immediately after childbirth,” according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Hailey Okula’s cause of death was officially described as “cardiac arrest due to an amniotic fluid embolism,” according to Today.
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While talking to reporters earlier this year, Matthew revealed that Hailey was able to see her son for a “split second” before entering cardiac arrest — a moment he said he’ll “always remember.”
