Ben Napier in Tears: Erin Napier Asks Fans to 'Pray for Ben' – The Emotional Reason Behind Her Heartfelt Request"

Ben Napier, HGTV’s beloved woodworking expert and co-star of Home Town, is known for his immense talent in crafting stunning furniture and restoring old homes, often bringing history back to life with his wife, Erin Napier, by his side.

But on September 1, 2024, Erin took to Instagram with an unexpected request: “Y’all pray for Ben.” The post left fans puzzled, sparking concerns about the well-being of the fan-favorite star. Was something seriously wrong?

Over the years, Ben has proven himself to be more than just a craftsman. He’s a family man at heart, pouring love into every project he takes on, especially when it involves his two little girls, Helen and Mae.

One of the most cherished projects he ever worked on was the handcrafted crib he built in anticipation of Helen’s arrival in 2017. The crib, made from quarter-sawn white oak, quickly became a symbol of the Napier family’s love and legacy.

Ben first unveiled the crib on Home Town in 2018, shortly before Helen was born. The moment was one of the most emotional scenes in the show’s history.

Erin, pregnant and overwhelmed with joy, couldn’t hold back her tears when Ben pulled the tarp off the crib he had spent countless hours crafting. “It’s so beautiful,” Erin exclaimed through her tears. “It’s the most beautiful thing you’ve ever made.”

Reason for Erin’s request for Prayers

For Ben, the crib was more than just a piece of furniture; it was a labor of love that would stand the test of time.

Reflecting on his design choices, Ben explained to producers that he wanted the crib to complement their craftsman-style home, which led him to use quarter-sawn white oak and incorporate traditional design elements.

Image of Ben Erin with his wife, Erin Napier — Ben Erin with his wife, Erin Napier

In addition to the white oak, Ben added a special touch—a tiny plug of heart pine from their home’s walls, ensuring that his daughter would always have a piece of their house with her.

But Ben’s vision for the crib extended far beyond Helen’s early years. He chose high-quality materials, explaining in an HGTV video about his “best builds” that he wanted the crib to last for generations.

“Nothing but the best for my baby,” he said. “It’ll be something that, the longer we have it in the family, the better it will be. One day, she can give it to her baby.”

Fast forward to 2024, and that dream has come full circle. The crib served not only Helen but also Mae, who recently celebrated her third birthday.

Image of Ben Napier and Erin Napier with their daughter Mae — Ben Napier and Erin Napier with their daughter Mae

For Ben, watching both of his daughters sleep in the crib he built was a deeply meaningful experience, one that underscored the passing of time in a way that felt both rewarding and heart-wrenching.

As Ben shared in a recent Instagram post, “Last night was probably the last night one of my children will sleep in the crib I spent so much time working on.” He accompanied the post with a series of nostalgic photos, from the early days in his workshop building the crib, to Helen’s last morning in it, and finally, to Mae’s.

The emotional weight of Mae’s transition to a “big girl bed” became the catalyst for Erin’s heartfelt request for prayers.

After seven years of having this cherished crib in their home, the time had come for it to be retired—at least for now. The transition hit Ben hard, as he had invested not just time and effort, but a deep emotional connection into crafting the piece.

In her Instagram Story, Erin shared Ben’s post, adding her own thoughts on the matter. “Y’all pray for Ben,” she wrote, “he is tore up about it.”

It wasn’t a health scare or a family crisis, but the simple reality that their little girls were growing up too fast, a truth that every parent knows all too well. For Ben, it symbolized the end of a chapter in their lives that he wasn’t quite ready to close.

The significance of the crib goes beyond the wood it’s made from or the hours Ben spent creating it. It represents the beginning of Ben and Erin’s journey as parents. Ben had first revealed the finished crib in 2018, shortly before Helen was born, marking a monumental moment for him as a first-time father.

“It’s kind of a big moment for me,” Ben admitted during the episode. “It’s a big milestone to be able to build this for my first-born child.”

Now, years later, as Mae moves into her big girl bed—a beautiful antique cherry Jenny Lind—Ben finds himself reflecting on how fast time has flown.

He shared that the crib will stay in Mae’s room for a few more weeks, just in case she has trouble adjusting, but he knows deep down that it’s time to put it away.

The white oak crib, which once held so many dreams and hopes, will soon be stored until their daughters become mothers themselves. Ben wrote, “The crib will go into storage until my babies become mamas, then it will be used again. Nothing makes you more aware of time than having children.”

Erin, as always, expressed her gratitude and admiration for her husband, commenting on his post, “Thank you for the ways you love us. Our babies always felt safe because daddy’s hands built it. ❤️” She also shared her own memories of the crib’s creation, posting a photo of it in Helen’s nursery, where it had been lovingly placed against the wall beneath framed botanical prints and sconces. Erin recalled Ben meticulously drawing up the plans for the crib minutes after they learned they were expecting Helen in 2017. The addition of the heart pine plug made the crib even more special, a piece of their home woven into their family’s future.

While Erin’s request for prayers might have initially raised concerns among fans, the true reason behind it is a beautiful reminder of how precious time is. For Ben Napier, the passing of these small milestones—like the crib being retired—is a poignant reminder that his little girls are growing up right before his eyes, and no amount of woodworking skill can slow the march of time.