Ten Years

Ten years and four days ago, I graduated from college with a degree in Family Science (also known as Marriage, Family, and Human Development). I'd been married two years and I was expecting our first child, a girl we'd call Lillian, the next day. I was nervous about the experience. I'd never given birth before, and I'd never really loved babies. I'd always loved to babysit toddlers and older children, but I found babies boring. I worried I'd feel the same way about my own. Ten years and three days ago, my second anniversary, which was also my due date, passed with no baby in sight. Ten years ago, I gave birth at 11:53 p.m., seven minutes before our student insurance ran out. The peace and joy of the experience changed me forever. Lillian has always been my joy and my light. I loved her more than I knew it was possible to love someone. When I greeted her, I felt as though I was meeting my best friend after a long absence. I loved being a mother. A few days after I got home from the hospital, I took out my school backpack, put away my tests, my notebooks, textbooks, and snack wrappers left over from trying to keep one step ahead of the morningsickness while also going to school and working two jobs (teaching special education seminary and being a T.A. for Family Money Management). Then I filled the backpack with diapers, wipes, desitin, and the like. I'd traded one chapter of my life for the next. I've never regretted it.

Comments

Michelle said…
happy 10th b-day, Lillian :)

sounds a lot like when I was expecting my first 2. and I have played the piano with a baby/toddler on my lap more times than I can count ;)

BTW--You have an award! Come to my blog to accept it (busymomto6@blogspot.com)

You deserve it!!!! Pat yourself on the back (and eat some chocolate).
April J. said…
Motherhood is such an amazing experience. Love is undefinable isn't it? It is amazing how you don't really have a transition period, it went from one directly to another.
Happy Birthday to Lillian! I can't believe I am mother of an almost 10 year old also. Time goes by so fast!!
3in3mom said…
Happy birthday Miss Lillian. She is such a sweet girl and you are a wonderful mother--happy 10 years to you both!
Jacki said…
Wow- trip down memory lane... that's when I knew you! The pictures are fun and We moved here ten years and one day before her birth! I was sad not to meet her. Crazy about your insurance! Lots happens in ten years!!
April Perry said…
Hi Christina! I just heard about your blog through the essay you submitted to www.powerofmoms.com. I'm one of the co-directors of that site, and I loved your essay. I think you've done a great job with your blogs, too! What's so funny is that as I was looking through this post and saw your photo from 10 years ago, I realized that I KNOW you! We went to college together...maybe you were my T.A. in Calculus? Dr. Franz? Oh, I wish I could remember exactly how we know each other, but anyway, I'm so happy for you and your sweet family, and it looks like you are doing great. Have a wonderful night!