So, I think most of you guys know I am very new to this community. However, I see a long lasting friendship from this place and on that note, I wanted to say something that I have been thinking and feeling for a few months now...
Around June/July of this past year, my GF and I were on our way to our 2nd year together. For me, that's a big deal because I have some commitment issues and other garbage that has kept me away from being "tied down" for any length of time prior to meeting my GF (Mindy).
The two year mark came and I couldn't believe the progress we had made as a couple. We had been through a lot together in those two years and I started considering asking the big question. But things took a twist.
My grandmother got diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in September. In June, my GF's uncle passed away from a heart attack at only age 51. My grandmother is only 72. So, I started thinking long and hard about what I wanted out of my life and where the hell I was going and what the hell I was doing with it.
On the drive home from my mom's the day we got the news, I was crying and thinking. I thought about how our days are numbered, from day one, we all eventually hit zero. We go on about our days, playing our games, enjoying our booze, having awesome times with friends and family.
Mindy had been asking me about adopting a kid someday (soon) and I dragged my feet for a long time. I didn't think we, as a couple, were ready. I didn't think I was ready. I was (still am) a full time college student with a crazy and hectic schedule sometimes. There are still things I want to accomplish in my life.
But that day, on the drive home to Mindy, I couldn't stop feeling like now was the right time. That right now, I could control how many birthdays and Christmases and Easters we'd get with our kid. Sort of control, anyway. So I decided that we should just do it. That we'd made a lot of progress over the course of our relationship and we love each other more than anyone else in our lives and no matter what, she will love me back.
Mindy is the sort of person that doesn't and never judges someone based on outward appearances. If I would have come home from Iraq with 5 less fingers or 1 less arm and met Mindy, she would have still fallen in love with me because she's just the kind of person who makes you want to be better. She's made me want to be better.
So, we started our adoption classes last week and were dead set on one toddler boy. Now, of course, I want 2 of them. I was afraid. I was scared of not knowing what I'm doing, not doing it correctly, but I know one thing: I will love our children, no matter what, unconditionally. And really, doesn't it come down to that? I will just do the best I can do, but I know with Mindy by my side, we will be able to tackle nearly everything.
Of course, for those of you who have kids, expect to be answering some parental questions!
Around June/July of this past year, my GF and I were on our way to our 2nd year together. For me, that's a big deal because I have some commitment issues and other garbage that has kept me away from being "tied down" for any length of time prior to meeting my GF (Mindy).
The two year mark came and I couldn't believe the progress we had made as a couple. We had been through a lot together in those two years and I started considering asking the big question. But things took a twist.
My grandmother got diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in September. In June, my GF's uncle passed away from a heart attack at only age 51. My grandmother is only 72. So, I started thinking long and hard about what I wanted out of my life and where the hell I was going and what the hell I was doing with it.
On the drive home from my mom's the day we got the news, I was crying and thinking. I thought about how our days are numbered, from day one, we all eventually hit zero. We go on about our days, playing our games, enjoying our booze, having awesome times with friends and family.
Mindy had been asking me about adopting a kid someday (soon) and I dragged my feet for a long time. I didn't think we, as a couple, were ready. I didn't think I was ready. I was (still am) a full time college student with a crazy and hectic schedule sometimes. There are still things I want to accomplish in my life.
But that day, on the drive home to Mindy, I couldn't stop feeling like now was the right time. That right now, I could control how many birthdays and Christmases and Easters we'd get with our kid. Sort of control, anyway. So I decided that we should just do it. That we'd made a lot of progress over the course of our relationship and we love each other more than anyone else in our lives and no matter what, she will love me back.
Mindy is the sort of person that doesn't and never judges someone based on outward appearances. If I would have come home from Iraq with 5 less fingers or 1 less arm and met Mindy, she would have still fallen in love with me because she's just the kind of person who makes you want to be better. She's made me want to be better.
So, we started our adoption classes last week and were dead set on one toddler boy. Now, of course, I want 2 of them. I was afraid. I was scared of not knowing what I'm doing, not doing it correctly, but I know one thing: I will love our children, no matter what, unconditionally. And really, doesn't it come down to that? I will just do the best I can do, but I know with Mindy by my side, we will be able to tackle nearly everything.
Of course, for those of you who have kids, expect to be answering some parental questions!