Motherhood
All of the lists have been checked, the bags are packed, and the endless Amazon shipments have been opened, although I know nothing can prepare us for what we are in store for.
Our lives are about to change forever, completely flipped upside down from the world we have come to know. Now lots of people have made it clear to us how much it sucks, the sleepless nights, say goodbye to the good ol' days, yada, yada, yada...
We know. It's rough. We've seen the reality of it through friends. Parenting is the hardest job we will ever attempt. But it took a complete stranger to remind me of what else we were in store for - joy. While waiting at Playa Provisions to meet friends for lunch, he approached me and said:
"I know everyone is probably telling you how hard it's going to be, but you also need to know how amazing it's going to be. Your life will never be the same, but in the best way possible."
And that is how I've tried to look at this entire crazy ride. When people ask if I'm scared about labor - my answer is no. I trust that my body was made to do this. When people ask if I'm worried about its affects on my career - my answer is no. I know it will only allow me to have more experiences to draw from and open my eyes to entirely new creative outlets.
And when people ask me if I am ready - my answer is no. I don't think I'll ever be. But I was never 100% ready for any of my major life events - graduation, moving across the country, etc. But that's what makes them great. It's the scariest things we do that turn into the sweetest moments of life.
A big thank you to the countless people who have been so generous with their gifts and advice these past nine months. While it is still surreal that I have been growing an actual human being inside me, I know that once he or she makes their way into this world they will be surrounded by all of your love as well.
And now we wait...