In this deeply personal episode, Denise and Tim share the origin story of their family — three boys, five tattoos, and a bond forged through deployment, surprise pregnancies, and the kind of vulnerability that makes a family stronger. From a secret pregnancy revealed on a honeymoon to a diagnosis that tested their resolve, this is the story of how they became the five.
What We Talk About
- The Monday before the wedding surprise — and why Denise kept it secret
- Thatcher's arrival: 24+ hours of labor, emergency C-section, and a slow, beautiful adjustment to parenthood
- Deploying to Iraq while expecting Cooper — and how a two-year-old became the "man of the house"
- Five years between Cooper and Mason, and the fear that came with a Down syndrome diagnosis
- The concept of "the five" — not just a number, but a family foundation built on adversity and trust
- How their tight-knit family expands to welcome girlfriends, friends, and chosen family
Quote of the Episode
"The five is more of a concept than it is a number... It's this family coming together, this family being its own support, its own strength, its own rock to stand on." — Tim Waters
Conversation Starters
- What would you do if you found out you were pregnant the week of your wedding? Would you tell your partner right away?
- How do deployments and long separations shape a family's identity and resilience?
- What does it mean to be "emotionally literate" as a parent — and how do you raise kids who are in touch with their feelings?
- When does a family number become a concept? Who gets to be part of your core group?
Connect & Reflect
We'd love to hear your family origin story. Tag @theroughdraft and share how your family became who you are today — whether by choice, surprise, or something in between.
Mini Moment
Denise sits across from Tim in their home studio and says, "I have no idea why I didn't tell you I was pregnant before the wedding." Tim laughs — after 25 years, it's finally safe to ask. They realize some of their biggest moments happened without a script: a secret kept, a deployment survived, a diagnosis faced together. The five didn't just happen. It was built, one vulnerable conversation at a time.
Try This
- Ask someone in your family to tell you their version of your birth story or how you joined the family
- If you have kids, share with them the story of how they came into your life — the good, the hard, and the real
- Think about your own "core group" — who are the people that make you feel known and safe? Tell them
- If you're interested in beta testing the Connection Cards launching in 2025, sign up at [website form link]
