Essence Atkins Expecting First Child

BEImages

There’s a baby on the way for Essence Atkins.

The Are We There Yet? star, 39, and husband Jaime Mendez expect their first child on Christmas Day, they confirm to PEOPLE.

“Our gratitude is overwhelming to have found each other and adding a baby to our happy home is truly a dream come true,” the couple tells PEOPLE.

“We are both elated and humbled by this amazing gift.”

Atkins and Mendez, a sales/marketing executive and entrepreneur, met via Match.com and were married in Pasadena, Calif. in September 2009.

– Sarah Michaud

Comments

For a second, I thought that was Rick Fox!

- Dani on August 9th, 2011

Aw, congratulations to them both! I love Essence.

- Alexis on August 9th, 2011

Congrats…she will be so cute can’t wait to see Essence’s bump. Congrats Essence & Jaime…wishing you a healty pregnancy…I’m predicting a girl.

- ERICA2 on August 9th, 2011

I wouldn’t have recognized her by name only but I do recognize her face. What a beautiful baby they will have! Congrats.

- Adrienne on August 9th, 2011

Dani, i thought so too!

- Indira on August 9th, 2011

Crazy that they met on match.com!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And she looks darn good for 39!!

Congrats to them!

- Lis on August 9th, 2011

Def thought that was Rick Fox as well…I was like what the…only reason why i clicked on the story!

- SLB on August 9th, 2011

How lovely! This blog is sooooooooooo much better than BCK and those bitter women who post!

- TKINHS on August 9th, 2011

tkinhs…

i see you are new here….

- Indira on August 9th, 2011

Indira… I thought the same thing.

- K on August 9th, 2011

Congrats to them!

I am around Essence’s age and am currently dating on Match.com. She gives me hope I might actually find a decent man on there!

Her husband really DOES look like Rick Fox!

- AllisonJ on August 9th, 2011

Jaime Mendez was a star football player for Kansas State and was on the Copper Bowl team that started Bill Snyder’s amazing run of bowl games and the greatest turn around in college football history.

- KSUwildcat on August 9th, 2011

Holy crap is that a typo? No way shes 39! She looks amazing!!! Congrats I loved watching her a few years back on smart guy,

- Keli on August 9th, 2011

match.com? really? she gets a rick fox lookalike and all i get are felons and men with bad credit. i’ve got to update my profile…

- Amber on August 10th, 2011

congrats to them, i loved her on the show half and half

- jessie on August 10th, 2011

LMAO@Amber & Indira
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Congratulations to them.

- Toya L. on August 10th, 2011

It gives me a little thrill that she met her husband on Match.com, where I met my boyfriend. It makes me feel good to know that sometimes celebrities are just people!

- KM on August 10th, 2011

They look perfect together, I’m sure their child will be beautiful!

- AmandaK on August 10th, 2011

She seems so sweet. Congrats to the gorgeous couple!

- Shannon on August 10th, 2011

Indiria, haha! I love your post!

- Jillian on August 11th, 2011

I mean indira! Sorry!

- Jillian on August 11th, 2011

I love Amber’s post. I agree I need to update my profile too. Congrats to Essence and her husband

- scarlet on August 11th, 2011

He is CUTE!!! Congrats

- librababe on August 11th, 2011

LMAO @ Amber!

Congrats to them…I have make myself a profile after their success story!

- Capri on August 11th, 2011

Great job Essence! congratulations on your marriage, baby and scoring such a good looking guy…….YOU GO GIRLLLLL!

- Roslyn on August 12th, 2011

Great for her……she actually starred as a new mom in portions of a “New Baby” video by baby.com that new moms get from the OB office…so nice that she will put that acting to good use!!!

- Rose on August 14th, 2011

congratulations….Essence! God Bless you &your husband.

- pat on August 15th, 2011

Dude looks like Rick Fox.

- SJ on August 17th, 2011