Let me tell you, folks, things got incredibly raw and emotional on Dancing with the Stars this past Monday, Oct. 9, when Vanessa Lachey opened up about the premature birth of her son, Phoenix. It was the much-anticipated "Most Favorite Year" episode, and while hubby Nick Lachey chose 2011 — the year they "got married and started our family" — Vanessa picked 2017, the year her "family was complete" after the birth of her third child, Phoenix Robert. Now, that’s a story worth sharing.

Vanessa's Emotional Journey: The Night Everything Changed

In a moment that brought the audience to tears, Vanessa recounted the harrowing experience of giving birth to Phoenix prematurely. With her voice trembling, she shared, “I was in the hospital on bedrest, and then my water broke. I was only 29 weeks.” She continued, “I was lying there on the operating table, and I looked up, not recognizing a single face. All I could think was, 'Please, just make him okay.'” Her vulnerability was palpable, and it painted a picture of the fear and uncertainty she faced that night. It's moments like these that remind us how fragile life can be, but also how strong we are as parents.

Nick's Perspective: A Father's Helplessness

Nick Lachey also opened up about that unforgettable night, revealing just how terrifying it was for him. "I'll never forget it," he said, his voice cracking with emotion. "She called me in a panic: 'They’re taking me in for emergency surgery. Get here as quick as you can.'" He went on to explain, "As a man, you want to believe you can protect your kids, protect your wife. But that night, I felt so helpless." Thankfully, both Vanessa and Phoenix pulled through the procedure, and today, Phoenix is a happy and healthy little boy. It's a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the unbreakable bond between parents and their children.

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Tonight is Most Memorable Year on @dancingabc. For me, it was 2017 when our family was complete. For Nick, it was 2011 when we got married and started our family. We hope you LOVE the dances! They are super special to us! 💃🏽❤️🕺🏼#TeamBabiesAndBallroom #TeamMomAndPops
A post shared by Vanessa Lachey (@vanessalachey) on Oct 9, 2017 at 3:38pm PDT

A Dance Inspired by Love and Struggle

Vanessa channeled that unforgettable night into her performance, using it as inspiration for a heartfelt Rumba dance with her partner, Maksim Chmerkovskiy. She even chose a lullaby titled "Godspeed (Sweet Dreams)" sung by her husband for their son as the music. "This song got us through some really tough times and helped us bond even closer as a family," Vanessa explained. It’s clear that the emotional connection she brought to the dance resonated with the judges, who awarded her and Maksim a 24/30. Even Nick was seen wiping away tears as Vanessa finished her performance. It was undeniably one of the most touching moments of Season 25 so far.