Family

It seems to appear that I've learned most of my life lessons while pregnant. I'm going to try very hard not to make this week seem like a series on how awesome pregnancy is (because it's not), but sadly, that's when most of my life lessons were either introduced or seriously confirmed in my life. Today's life lesson that I'm grateful to have learned is that you don't have to be related to be family.

After I got the news that I was knocked up, I went into panic mode. What am I going to do? I can't keep the kid, that wouldn't be fair to it...him...her?...it can't be a her, it's definitely a him. As I work through this with myself and eventually tell each of my co-workers and friends (I mean, I'm about to be blown up like a balloon, so might as well let them know now.), I was firmly set on giving the child up for adoption. My co-workers supported this and even helped me select agencies to talk with. I even offered my baby to my boss, but he declined. (Later they all told me that they knew I would eventually come around to the decision of keeping my baby, but they wanted me to work through that on my own.)

My co-workers and friends in Nashville eventually became my family. They were the ones who were with me all the time. My friends still invited me to hang out with them, and even threw me a surprise baby shower after me adamantly admitting that I didn't want one. My co-workers also threw me a surprise shower. (My parents were in the know about both of these, and still managed to keep the secrets from me! Sneaky!) But most importantly, all of them made me feel accepted and rode the journey with me wherever it took me. Daniel, my bestie, willingly went places with me when I was huge and people were assuming it was his baby. (Seriously, he's the best friend anyone could ask for me, and it sucks that I had to miss his wedding because of work.)

I never accepted the massive amount of help that was offered to me, but it was appreciated. My makeshift family helped me realize just how strong-willed I am (I swear kiddo gets that from him, not me!). They also taught me what it was like to truly accept someone unconditionally. I'm forever grateful to my little makeshift Nashville family for not only helping me through one of the more difficult times in my life, but for helping me evolve into a better person over all.