Do you know someone who is a young mom? Did you stand beside her during her struggles? I was only sixteen when I became a mom. I can't repeat all of the negative things I heard. I can't count how many people told me they would stay but didn't. I was told babies shouldn't have babies. I was told that I was not only ruining my own life, but my child's life and all of my family's lives. I made a very adult decision at such a young age. This decision didn't affect only me, it affected a tiny human being who hadn't even come to this world yet. Someone who I thought would love and support me through everything told me to consider an abortion. Many people who were very close to me offered to raise my baby as their own and allow me to stay in its life. But, a part of me knew this little bean was what I needed. That tiny bean was sent to me in that time for a reason.
My first OBGYN appointment had me utterly terrified. I was scared they would tell me something was wrong with me or the baby. As I laid on the cold exam table in nothing but one of those flimsy hospital gowns, my heart beat a thousand times per minute. They put a warm, thick gel on my stomach and began moving it around. Then, a little human appeared on the screen. My heart instantly did a flip and my breath caught in my chest. I fought back the tears. In that moment, I knew what love felt like. I knew I needed this little person growing inside of me. I knew that one way or another I had to be the best mother possible. That was the day my life forever changed. That was the day I made the decision to mommy a beautiful baby girl.
As my pregnancy went on, I held my head high. I dealt with the struggles. I dealt with losing the friends, the nasty looks, the talking behind my back, and I ignored it all. I was in my own little paradise. I was having my heart stolen by every kick, hiccup, and rib punch. I was lucky enough to have help along the way. I set up her crib, I folded her clothes, I hung her bows. Photographs were taken to remember the progress of my bump growing. I marked the days on a calendar to my slowly approaching due date. I packed a diaper bag and a duffle. I made sure everything was ready to go for when I went into labor. I filled in the lines of her baby book. Plans were made about who would be in the room. I drew up a birth plan. She wasn't even here yet and she was my best friend.
I kept waiting for the labor to begin. I tried to get it started by walking, dancing, and eating spicy foods. When I went into labor, I was excited even though the pain was terrible. I knew she was on her way. Soon I'd be able to hold the little girl who I'd been dreaming of. After fourteen hours of labor and twelve minutes of pushing, I welcomed a beautiful, perfect girl into this world. I will never trade March 12, 2014 for anything in this world. Being a teen mom is hard and you do have to give up a lot of things. But, for me, being a mom was worth it all.
