To My Best Friend,
You’re due any day now and I am so upset that I can’t be there. Trust me I would much rather be meeting that sweet baby instead of taking these finals.
I feel like just yesterday is when you casually told me you're pregnant in the back of our friend’s car. I’m still laughing now about how you just simply slid such a big announcement into the conversation like it was nothing. I remember thinking that this was a joke and that you were messing with me. I couldn't have been more wrong.
A lot of people look down on teenage pregnancy. People say things like “you shouldn’t have been so reckless” or “this is why you wait till marriage”. They assume that you’ll probably be a drop-out and won’t go far in the future.
Saying that I once thought like these people disgust me, and now seeing everything you have gone through, I know there is only one adjective that can describe a teenager who is having a baby; BRAVE.
Not only are you carrying a life inside of you, you are doing it while getting ridiculed and shamed because of your age. I am so proud of you and everything you have gone through.
I know you are scared. I know that when people ask you how you feel about being pregnant or giving birth, you say something simple like, “It’s going to be fine” because it’s what they want to hear, but I know you’re terrified.
Of course, you're scared of labor and if you are going to poop on the table, which you probably will.
But I know you are really concerned about what happens next. You are worried that you won’t be a good mom and you’re scared that you will mess everything up.
I am here to tell you that even though I have no knowledge about raising a baby, I know a whole lot about you. You are caring and so generous and are going make a wonderful mother.
YES YOU WILL MESS UP, but that’s okay. You have so many wonderful people around you that love you endlessly and will be there for you when you do mess up.
I know that this wasn’t the original plan. You didn’t think you were going to be having a baby at 19, but you are, and everything is going to be okay.
I love you so much,
(Soon to be) The fun aunt