*Elizabeth is willingly giving us permission to share her story so that others can realize there is hope in the midst of a difficult situation. All client experiences with Advice & Aid Pregnancy Centers are kept with the highest confidence. The stories that are shared come from the real-life experiences that our clients, staff and volunteers had during their unplanned pregnancy.
*Her name has been changed but her story is true.
My name is Elizabeth, and this is my story.
My parents never lied to me about how I came to be.
I knew that I wasn’t planned, but it never mattered.
I didn’t realize some people considered an unplanned pregnancy a problem until my adolescence, because my parents did such a wonderful job of loving me.
Unplanned didn’t mean unwanted in our house.
I got to watch my parents as they built their lives, both together and as individuals. I watched as my dad sacrificed and worked hard to build his career while providing for our family. I was there when my mom walked across the stage to receive her diploma after years of hard work and searching for her calling. Seeing them work so hard taught me lessons I didn’t appreciate until adulthood.
If I had been born under “perfect” conditions,
I don’t think I would appreciate
hard work, family, and love the way I do now.
Looking back now, I realize life must have been hard for them, especially for the first few years of my life. My parents made sure my basic needs were met, and then they smothered me with their time, affection, and love. Yes, I was sometimes bummed that I didn’t have “name brand” cereal like my friends, but my parents did everything for me. My dad seemed to coach all my sports teams, and my mom was my troop leader and biggest fan. I couldn’t have asked for a better childhood because my parents poured their lives into my life. I didn’t have the latest and greatest, but none of that is what I remember.
What I do remember is how much they loved me,
and while I know they struggled,
parenthood transformed them into amazing people I am proud to claim as an adult.
I was able to witness as they “grew up,” and that has been a privilege.
Now, I look at my son and I don’t know a baby that is more loved. He comes from a long legacy of life and love. My grandma stepped up and helped my mom when she was most vulnerable. She loved my mom and dad when other people ridiculed and doubted them. Her love strengthened them to make a hard but wonderful choice: to have me. They passed that on to me, and their love bolstered me and made me strong. Without their love, I don’t know if I ever could have taken on parenthood myself. But now, I have the wonderful gift of getting to see my parents dote on my son.
Their hard decision has given way to a legacy of life and love,
and I don’t think any of us would trade that for anything.
Life, what a beautiful choice!
An unplanned pregnancy doesn’t mean that there is only one choice. It may be a difficult choice . . . but Elizabeth is here today, carrying on a beautiful legacy of generations of love, because of her parent’s willingness to make the difficult choice. Their joy over watching Elizabeth grow up, and now witnessing Elizabeth’s growing family, has far overshadowed the fact that she was simply unexpected.
If you find yourself in the same place that Elizabeth’s parents did, faced with a completely unexpected pregnancy and not knowing where to turn, know that you don’t have to face this alone.
Take your first step today towards taking back control of your situation. Make an appointment with us. No pressure, no agenda – simply information, an understanding friend, and hope!
