John Carroll Catholic High School was proud to welcome back 2011 graduate, Holli Hobbs, for a special student body assembly, on Wednesday, Jan. 19. Faced with an unexpected pregnancy in 2018, Hobbs found herself relying on the support and influences of her Catholic faith as she navigated the unsure world of becoming a single mother.

“Holli shared with our students a very inspiring and unique story of her unplanned pregnancy and of how her interactions with individuals, not sharing a pro-life stance, solidified her reliance on God and a trust in His timing,” commented John Carroll alumni director Mike Bouton.

Hobbs recounted to the students that she interacted with approximately 13 people before hearing someone speak positively about her pregnancy.

“I had had approximately 13 people either suggest that I get an abortion, offer to drive me to get an abortion, or offer to pay for the abortion.

It wasn’t until I had an ultrasound and the nurse technician, after seeing my daughter on the screen, said ‘Congratulations,’ that I realized no one had congratulated me on becoming a new mom or had shared with me in the celebration of this life God created,” said Hobbs.

“The encounter with the nurse gave me the confidence to finally tell my family. We lost my mom to cancer when my daughter was just one-year-old, but I’m so grateful that she had the opportunity to become a grandmother and know her granddaughter.”

In the end, Hobbs recognized the importance of surrounding influences when faced with difficult life situations. Had she listened to the advice of the people prone to following today’s cultural norms, she and her family would have missed out on the blessings brought to them through her daughter’s life.

“The chances that any of the students at John Carroll will face unplanned pregnancies is very slim, but the chance that they will have a friend or family member who will find themselves in a similar situation as mine is very possible,” said Hobbs. “The reaction we have in these moments can be very influential in whether the new mom and/or dad sees the baby as a gift from God or a problem to be fixed. I my case, the ‘congratulations,’ was very life-affirming.”

Today, Hobbs has a successful photography business, Holli Hobbs Photography, and she credits her daughter as the reason behind her rediscovering her love for photography. Prior to her daughter’s birth Hobbs hadn’t picked up her camera since high school. Hobbs also became engaged this past Christmas and her fiancé will soon be completing the process of adopting her daughter.