December 7, 2016
Ben and I went to see the movie Elf in Falls Park, but once we were leaving, I told Ben that I thought I might be pregnant. I took a home test and it turned out positive. I was shocked and could hear my mom saying, “there are false negatives but no false positives.” I told Ben that I was pregnant and we both started crying. We didn’t know what we were going to do. I made an appointment at Piedmont Women’s Center for that Friday, December 9.
December 9, 2016
I showed up to the center shaky and nervous. After I filled out paper work and left a sample, I sat in a counseling room for what felt like forever. Ben was out in the car waiting for me, and I just stared at the dozens of pamphlets ijn front of me. Adoption, abortion, pregnancy resources, how to become a Christian. I was overwhelmed with assumptions and information being thrown at me. After some intense counseling from a woman that went through post-abortion counseling, I was ready to get my results. I knew that the results were going to be positive, but I was still hoping for a chance to be negative. The woman came back in with a white paper bag filled with papers, a baby blanket, and a hat. I started crying all over again, filled out a survey and went outside.
After I told Ben, he just hugged me and told me we would figure it out. I called my mom and told her what was happening, and waited for her to get home so we could talk. I won’t go into the details of the conversation, but it helped me a lot. My parents were very supportive and made sure I knew I would be ok.
The following weeks
I started working at Sally Beauty the next day, December 10. Ben and I got married after planning a wedding in two weeks. I transferred from North Greenville to Grand Canyon University, and we just went on with our lives making adjustments as necessary to prepare for our little one on the way.
December 9, 2017
Today is a typical Saturday. Robert and I are at my mom’s house. We are getting ready for his first Christmas, playing, changing diapers, and making bottles. Last year, I was filled with anxiety and fear, but now I am filled with love and joy. Every time I look at my little boy, I can’t believe that for a short while, I didn’t even want to be a mom. I love being a mom. I love being his mom.
I have spent my whole life learning that my actions have consequences and that God gives us everything we need. Last year, I was scared and felt completely unprepared. I still feel unprepared, but I’m not scared. I know that we will be okay. I am married to an amazing man, and have the sweetest baby boy ever. We live in a cute little house and have the greatest support system. I wouldn’t want anything to be different.