WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — Last October, Williamsburg Del. Mike Mullin and his wife Rebecca's family grew by one, when a "little trick-or-treat" came into their lives.
"He smiled really early, and really often," Rebecca Mullin laughed.
"He did," Del. Mullin agreed while smiling. "I've never seen a child smile as early and as often as Peter did."
On October 31, Del. Mullin and Rebecca said hello to Peter Mullin, their first biological son together.
But four months after saying hello, it became time to say goodbye.
"You're not supposed to outlive your child," Del. Mullin said.
Earlier this year just as the 2023 General Assembly was wrapping up, Mullin and his family announced the unexpected passing of four-month-old Peter. In a sit down with 13News Now Monday, Mullin described the experience as "very tough" for his family and three other kids.
“The pain it causes for you, and others around you, it’s very difficult for people in your life and community to react to a loss like that," Rebecca added.
From an unexpected loss, came an unexpected gift.
“Our neighborhood just lifted us up and surprised us in the most beautiful way," Mullin said.
Neighbors among the Berkeley's Green community in Williamsburg came together to honor Peter Mullin's life with a memorial bench and community stone, inscribed with Peter Mullin's name.
The bench, within sight of the pool where Rebecca says she had someday hoped to take Peter swimming, offers her and Mullin a place for prayer and peace.
"It will be really nice either alone or when we go together down the street to pause here, think about Peter and say a little prayer for our baby. I think I'll use it quite often. I can't wait to see other families sitting on this bench too," she said.
"I think it's a place we'll go back to everyday," Mullin said.
Earlier this year as well, Del. Mullin announced he will not be seeking re-election for his House of Delegates seat.