Sometimes, life gives you wins that don’t appear on the scoreboard, and for Steve Sarkisian, this past week was one of those rare double W’s. Although the Texas Longhorns defeated San Jose State 38–7 in Austin, Coach Sark had a greater reason to rejoice at home: his wife, Loreal Sarkisian, proudly shared a new chapter in his personal life.

There was more to the couple’s moment than football. With the birth of their son, Amays, earlier this year, Loreal was finally able to embrace her dream of motherhood after years of doubt and heartache. And after riding on a rocky road with their relationship, the Sarkisians are now adapting to life as new parents, while the Longhorns prepare for another season, juggling significant victories on the field with even bigger milestones at home.

“I’m so happy to be a mom. Probably one of my most fav jobs to date,” Loreal admitted in her recent IG story, giving fans a candid peek into life away from the sidelines. The new mom didn’t shy away from the hard parts either, adding, “It has been a little stressful getting sleep and tryna stay up before coach gets home.” Her words capture the raw, beautiful chaos that comes with raising a newborn while being married to a college football head coach. And the joy mixed with exhaustion feels all real to someone who once thought motherhood might never happen.

She also joked, “He has seen me every day, every night, but I haven’t seen much of him, maybe we’re too tired by the time he gets home,” revealing how hectic Coach Sark’s schedule can be. Loreal disclosed that she was“bringing him food for lunch so we can hang out and enjoy some time together” to make time for them. This is a modest but sincere sacrifice. Her words reveal the considerable effort required to maintain their relationship amid the season’s demands. She offered a glimpse into the delicate balancing act of love, family, and football.

The journey, however, was far from easy. Loreal admitted that every day felt like a test of faith and patience as she recalled the anxiety and uncertainty of being put on bed rest. She recalled the moment when her baby’s heart rate abruptly dropped, “the scariest of my life,” with everything happening in a flash as medical professionals hurried her into an emergency C-section. She stated that every tear, prayer, and restless night was worthwhile when she held Amays for the first time following that ordeal.

Loreal Sarkisian shares raw truth on pregnancy struggles and emergencies

Loreal Sarkisian has never shied away from being honest, and becoming a mother was no exception. The Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian’s wife described in her YouTube video how terrifying it was to be placed on bed rest before being hurried into an emergency C-section. “Once admitted into the hospital, it became even more real,” she explained. “I just needed him to stay in as long as possible. That was the name of the game at that point.” But before she knew it, doctors had her put under anesthesia and had delivered baby Amays while she was asleep.

Loreal admitted that the feelings were complicated even after holding a healthy baby. “I was torn between being grateful and happy that he was alive and well, but then also like, ‘I didn’t get another moment of this beautiful journey as a lot of women describe it,'” she said. That honesty stood out because so often pregnancy is described as easy and magical, but Loreal didn’t sugarcoat it. “No one really talked about the sucky side of pregnancy,” she added. “Like, ‘Oh, you’re pregnant! You’re glowing! Everything’s great!’ Actually, it’s like… I’m actually really miserable.”

Still, Loreal says the result was well worth the tears, anxiety, and sleepless nights. She calls her son, Amays, the greatest blessing in her life, and he was born on April 4. She stated, “Outside of my salvation, the next greatest gift the Lord has given me is a child… A son who I am so obsessed with. I love him dearly. One of the purest loves I have ever had.” The honesty of her story truly heightens the joy of someone who once believed she would never become a mother.