When you tell people that you’re 20 and pregnant they look at you with either pity, or like you’re insane.
People act like your life is over “you're a child having a child” “ so are you just going to drop out of college?”. It’s almost as if having a kid young is the biggest mistake you could possibly make. I always see people posting about how they can’t imagine why someone would have a kid so young, or that people having kids young are stupid . What is so bothersome to others about people having kids young? People are always so quick to judge , so many stigmas surround being a young mom.
When my boyfriend [Jared], and I first found out I was pregnant we were shook. I took about 10 tests, we were scared. Scared of what our families, and friends would say, scared of the future. Could we even take care of a baby? However this was our doing, and we had to take responsibility for it. Never for even a minute did the thought of having an abortion, or having my kid adopted cross my mind. Honestly my biggest fear was having a miscarriage, which is common early in pregnancy. I didn’t want to get too excited in case something bad happened. This life growing inside of me was already so cherished.
When you’re 20, and in college you’re still figuring out life. There is a lot about life to still be discovered , and my life is about to change drastically. My life just a few months ago was getting good grades, and partying. My friends, boyfriend, and I nearly partied and got drunk every weekend. It was HELLA lit. But partying every weekend isn't what life is all about.
I often get told that I’m missing out on my 20’s, but I don’t think so. It’ll just be a different kind of journey, and I’m okay with that. No my life isn’t over. I don't feel as if my 20's have been "robbed" from me. Jared always says " Everyone's life path is different, and this is the one we're choosing to go on. It'll be a different kind of adventure".
I’m still enjoying life at 23 weeks pregnant. I still go out with my best friends on weekends (S/O to them who make life so much fun), and have a blast even though I’m sober. Am I ashamed to be pregnant? hell no. You'll probably see me out this weekend again, and probably until I'm too big to move much.
Pregnancy is a beautiful experience, there’s no feeling comparable to feeling your baby move inside of you. Being able to share this experience with my boyfriend is amazing. He wanted a girl so bad, and the way his face lit up when we found out it was a girl was priceless.Those little moments mean everything. That being said Pregnancy is also very hard, it’s draining, and painful. Your body goes through so many changes, I get very self conscious at times. Jared always tells me to show off my bump, that it's beautiful.
This journey will be challenging, however with challenges come rewards. Going to college for another year with a kid will be hard, but baby girl will only be more motivation to finish strong. I’m not looking forward to the long sleepless nights, expenses, and all the sacrifices that come with having a kid, however in my opinion it's all worth it. I'm certainly nervous to become a mom , but at the same time I cannot wait. This is such a blessing to us. Life doesn’t have a redo button, and even if it did I wouldn’t go back.
Though I’m on this journey that most college students would dread to be on this is the happiest, and healthiest I’ve ever been. Both our families have been so supportive, this has actually brought my mother and I closer. Baby girl isn’t even born yet, but she already brings so much joy into our lives. Having my boyfriend by my side makes everything perfect in my eyes. We’re on this journey together, and as young parents we get to grow together alongside our daughter. Our relationship couldn’t be better, and we’re so thankful to be bringing a healthy baby girl into the world. We cannot wait, I have no complaints so far. Life is good.
