So over 5 years ago I met the love of my life, and things went fast. We were in love, and we had the same goals in life. My husband is 6 years older than me so that definitely raised some eyebrows since I was at the mere age of 17, and he was 23 at the time... but I was out of high school and living on my own, we were on the same page. After 6 short months we got engaged, and almost 4 years ago (In March) we were married. I was I was 18 and Stephen turned 25 a couple months later. Now we have a smart, sweet, amazing 2-year-old little girl, a precious 1-year-old little boy who is full of energy, and we are about 7 weeks pregnant with our 3rd baby! We have managed to make it through several months apart since my husband is in the military, we have both attained our Associates degrees in different areas and Stephen is soon to have his bachelors. We both have good paying jobs. We moved 4 times, bought a home, made a life for ourselves and our kids with no financial support or help from anyone else, and very little emotional support either. You could say that our life might not be what you would want for your own 22-year-old self or daughter; but the reality is it is MY life, and I think we are doing pretty well. You know what else, I am happy. I really am happy being a wife and a mother of 2 (soon to be 3.) I have always wanted to have a family, and to love them unconditionally... and I do.
I was 18 when I got married. 20 when I had my daughter, 21 when I had my son. I will be 23 when I have baby #3. Am I crazy? Maybe I just am. Maybe I am completely insane. I got married for the right reasons, I PLANNED my 3 children for the right reasons. I like things to be a little crazy, but crazy is fun; and crazy is how you grow, and it is how your children grow too.
The norm now days is for people to wait until their 30's to get married, wait a few years to have a child (if they have one at all) and maybe have 1 more if they are feeling brave. All the while they continue to work their stressful "dream" jobs and let a nanny or daycare raise their child. But that is not me. I want my kids to be surrounded by family! I want my kids to have so many memorable moments when they grow up that they couldn't imagine ever being an only child! I want to be young enough to carry my kids around piggy-back, even if they are 4 years old. I want to be active with them, teach them, laugh with them, and shape them into respectful, amazing little individuals. Because that is what children are, individuals. They are real people, not property... and I recognize that. Does a 40-year-old mother recognize that too? I hope so. They are just different than me, and that is fine.
Why should I be looked down upon for loving my family? For having babies young? For having them close in age? I think I am doing pretty well, my kids are happy, and I don't ask for help from anyone (expect my God and my husband) Why should someone else put their .02 in on how I choose to grow my family if it doesn't effect them at all? They shouldn't!!!
Will I ever be a perfect person? No. Will I ever be a perfect wife? Not a chance! Will I ever be a perfect mother? Impossible. But I will try my best, and I will be happy doing so.
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