When I was a young girl, I would dream of someday being a wife and mother. I would lie in bed at night and think of my future family. I wanted a big family. And a husband who loved me completely.
I would also lie there at night, thinking about the first time that I’d tell my future husband I was expecting. He would come home from a long day a work to a white house with green shutters. I’d have a candlelight dinner waiting. I even knew what I’d serve: baby back ribs, baby carrots and baby peas.
I would be glowing—not from the candlelight, but from the “joy of expectancy.” My husband would glance at me from across the table and cock one eyebrow. I would nod enthusiastically. We’d embrace, and then we’d head to J C Penny’s to pick out our first baby outfit! It would be perfect.
But what really happened, years later, was quite different. I was riding home from the doctor’s office with my mom. We were both silent. Tears stained her cheeks, and stained mine also. As we drove, I saw a familiar car heading in the other direction.
“There he is,” I said, pointing.
My mom turned the car around and we followed him to the McDonald’s parking lot. There was another girl in the car. I jumped out and motioned for him to join me. She looked the other way. He followed me toward the brown-topped, garbage can. This was the person who not long before had professed his love for me. Now his gaze was cold as ice. After dating for three years, things had not been going well lately. The girl in the car had something to do with that. But my own longings for “true, ever-lasting love” also made me unsatisfied.
“I’m pregnant,” I told him.
His expression didn’t change. “You’re lying. I don’t believe you.”
My hands protectively covered my stomach. “Fine, don’t believe me. I don’t want anything to do with you anyway. I don’t need you. This baby doesn’t need you.” That was one of the last times I talked to him.
I was seventeen. One day I was your typical high school senior. I was an honor student, a cheerleader, and a yearbook editor. I worked part time at McDonalds to pay for gas for my used Dodge Colt. The next day, I discovered I was a mother-to-be.
Read the rest of my story HERE!
Read the rest of my story HERE!
*Photo credit: Image courtesy of maya picture / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Whoa! I never knew your story, Tricia. And now, I’m going over to the next link to read the rest.
Okay, so I read the rest and now I need to take you to lunch! We’re the same age and our stories are sooooo similar (minus the child since I’ve not been able to get preggy). You went from dropout to bestselling author and I began in the same place and went to CEO. And what a blessed you and I are now living! Only God…
I hardly ever comment but this just touched my heart. My boyfriend wanted me to have an abortion or he would leave. Now thirty years later and an amazing God journey I have 3 precious grandchildren from the son I chose to keep. Such a blessing.
Thank you for sharing your precious story. A beautiful testimony to our God.
Tricia, I think we’ve discussed this before, but your story always blesses me. One of my daughters became pregnant at the age of 17. She also had everything going for her, but we’re all human with human failings. We stood by her throughout the pregnancy, and held a celebration shower for her. You only have your first child “once!” It’s a celebration no matter what the circumstances are. With our help she took the responsibility of going to school for a nursing degree, working part-time and raising her son. Unfortunately she was not able to conceive another child after she married, but my grandson is now 21 years old and a junior at the University of Michigan. This success story is the result of shared love, acceptance, and God’s leading and guidance throughout this special young man’s life. We are so blessed!
Wow Tricia! This is my first time visiting your blog… your pinterest photo caught my eye as I have been “pinning” many pregnant photos of late..lol
I am so encouraged as I read your story! The part that for me stands out is when you shared how the women in your church took you in, loved on you, had compassion for you and didn’t condemn you. What you went through must have been one of the hardest seasons of your life, I don’t know?
But boy have you done some amazing things with the help of God… boy has He redeemed what once was lost in you for His Glory and the advancement of His Kingdom.
“Well done good and faithful servant!”
I would love to have you share this as a guest post testimonial on Redeeming Childbirth’s Testimonial Tuesday? Let’s connect.
Something about your pic caught my eye on The Better Mom blog hop, maybe because I know a few teen pregnancy’s that have saved that mommies life. I read your testimony and it was inspiring.
Candice
http://www.lillythroughthevalley.blogspot.com
Thank you so much for all your kind words, friends!
Your story is amazing. I have gone through the same experience as well. I never tell anyone about some of the bad choices I made. I am encouraged by you. I hope one day I can boldly tell my story with out shame.
I am still reading “Praying for your future husband”. I have hope that despite my past mistakes, God will make beauty out of these ashes. Your story is a true testimony of that. Thank you for sharing.