Surprise! She’s Pregnant!
Surprise! she’s pregnant! The look on their faces were priceless as we shared the news with our parents on Christmas Eve. Ever since we exchanged our vows, both of our parents have been more than hinting at the thought of grandchildren. We had said that we were going to wait. That we wanted to get further along in our careers before we started to build our family. That we wanted to be financially secure. We said anything to keep the surprise a secret and it was definitely more difficult than I ever imagined it would be.
We set it up for a picture in front of the Christmas tree with my wife posing with our parents as I gave the directions. The plan was to video them all and let them think that they were just taking a picture. My parents happened to be the first to arrive so they were first to be surprised. “Say, Merry Christmas! (Brief pause) Now say, she’s pregnant!” Our plan definitely did not disappoint. My mother froze, still keeping her smile for the picture as my father grabbed a hold of my wife and almost squeezed the baby right out of her with excitement. They were shocked and were smiling ear to ear. There was a similar reaction as we set up her parents with her aunt and uncle. The shock took over and everyone froze with a smile before my father-in-law reached over and grabbed my wife to give her a big hug and a kiss. They thought we were joking because we have said for months that we were going to wait. We conducted the same video surprise on a few other close friends as the night continued. Our night was filled with pure joy and happiness just as anyone would wish for their Christmas to be.
Joyful and happy, finally. The weeks leading up to Christmas were very stressful for my wife and I as we are both very close with our parents and keeping a secret from them is nearly impossible. As far as my wife and I were concerned, we were having a baby but the reality had not yet set in. Without sharing our joy with those closest to us that we know and love, it didn’t feel complete. Soon after we announced our news to the rest of our friends and family via phone calls and social media, we were both able to relax and let it all sink in. I am going to be a father. I am going to be responsible for bringing another life into this world. This was surreal and I did not know what to think. I have waited my entire life for this moment and I was at a loss for words. This was always my number one goal, to be a father. Now that the time is here everyone keeps asking me, “Are you ready to be a dad?” From what I have learned, you can never fully be prepared for parenthood. As much as I like to plan things out and be prepared, it is impossible to prepare for the unexpected. My current, “Plan” is to have an open mind and to. do my best. I have reached my goal of becoming a father but a new goal that I can add to my plan is, “Be a great father”.
Something that my father told me as a child that I lived most of my life by was, “A job worth doing, is worth doing well”. He said anyone can take action but if they did a terrible job what was the point? It made me realize that any person can make a child, a true man does a great job by raising that child. I want to use important life lessons and memories in my life prior to fatherhood to guide me in raising my child. I have learned a lot over the years and have paid attention to details that had both positive and negative effects on my life. I want my child to have strong morals and values as well as know right from wrong. I want him or her to be confident as well as compassionate and caring. I want them to appreciate everything life gives them no matter how large or small. I want them to read these letters and know that their father loved them very much. I want them to know that I did my very best in helping them prepare for life as well as enjoy it. I want them to be great at all that they do and to know that I love them no matter what the outcome. What I want them to always remember is simple. “Be great at showing gratitude. Be GREATful”
