When it comes to having a baby girl the odds are usually 50-50. Unless you're a part of this Michigan family. Then, the odds are about 1 in a million (give or take).
For over a century, the Clark family has only welcomed boys. The last time a baby girl was born into the family was 138 years ago.
That is, until now.
The Gender Reveal Party
Andrew Clark comes from a long line of male-dominated births, dating back to his great-great-grandfather.
So when he started dating his now-wife, Carolyn, he warned her about the long-standing tradition, telling her, "Oh, we don't have girls. Legitimately, we have not had a girl in our direct line in over 100 years."
Challenge accepted.
With the odds stacked against her the size of Mount Everest, Carolyn was determined to end the daughter drought.
Not surprisingly, their first child was a boy, Cameron, who is now 4 years old.
After suffering a miscarriage, the couple learned they were expecting again. "We honestly didn't care if we were having a boy or girl at this point," Carolyn told GMA. "We just were thankful to be pregnant and just praying for a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby."
In September, family and friends gathered together for a gender reveal party. They were each given a cookie containing either blue or pink frosting. Everyone assumed it would be blue.
It wasn't. It was pink. The Clarks were finally having a girl.
The response to the baby news? Shock and awe. And a whole lot of jumping and screaming.
"We kept it a secret to ourselves as well. So I just assumed it was going to be blue in the center of the cookies and it'd be another boy in the lineage," Andrew shared. "I was shocked. I think I just stared at the center of that cookie like, it's really pink. So it was a good surprise for us."
Birth of Baby Girl Breaks a Century-Long Tradition
Even with confirmation from their doctor, the Clarks still couldn't quite believe their luck. Throughout the pregnancy, they were plagued with doubts.
“I think every ultrasound she was like, 'Double check that it's a girl. I don't believe in it,'" Andrew said.
Well, turns out, it was a girl. Audrey Marie Clark was born on March 17 — St. Patrick's Day — with the luck of the Irish clearly on her side.
Weighing in at 6 pounds 8 ounces, Audrey is a healthy bundle of joy and the family couldn't be more thrilled.
“It was just joy, you know, just that she was here and healthy," said Carolyn. “It made it even more special that it was a girl because it was like, you were worth the wait and all the struggles.”
What Are the Odds?
While the Clarks are certainly an anomaly, the scales are actually slightly tipped in favor of having a boy, according to science.
The World Health Organization reports that there is a 51% chance of having a boy and a 49% chance of having a girl.
Researchers from Newcastle University in England believe that this might be due to a gene that controls the balance of X- and Y-carrying sperm.
After studying more than 927 family trees dating back to the 1600s, they discovered that the sex ratio for families followed the father's side, not the mother's side.
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"Men inherit a tendency to have more sons or more daughters from their parents. This means that a man with many brothers is more likely to have sons, while a man with many sisters is more likely to have daughters."
In other words, it's all in the father's genes. Men carrying a gene that leads to their sperm having more Y chromosomes have more sons.
It seems to be the case in the Clark family.
Boy or girl, the Clarks, like all parents, are just happy to have a healthy baby. The fact that they were the ones to finally break the 138-year streak is "icing on the cake."
But even so, they may want to start buying lottery tickets. Seems the odds are in their favor.
Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.