Looks like it will be another "me" weekend. Hubby is traveling out of
town for business and doesn't return until midnight tonight. It's so
true that absence makes the heart grow fonder...especially on weekends
for some reason. I'm not really bothered by his work travel, but when
it's on the weekends, I always feel lonely. We pretty much do
everything together. I am one of the lucky few who is married to their
best friend, and no matter what happens in our future, I am so grateful
just knowing I have him by my side. Not everyone is blessed to have such
an amazing soul mate, and I do recognize that. I don't take it for
granted for a single second. Anyone who knows us, knows how crazy we are
for each other.
All the love in the world, however, doesn't distract from our desire to
have a family. To be honest, I really don't have a close family or many
close friends nearby for that matter. Sure, I have long time friends
that I've been in contact with for years, but we've also had 3 major
moves in the last 6 years, so I've had to start over with building
friendships locally a few times now. I am also picky and don't like
caddy women, which is unfortunately pretty common among the female
species. I do have a select few friends who are amazing here, and who I
try to see whenever I possibly can. We've been in the same house now for
about 3.5 yrs, but I realize now more than ever, how tough it still
really is.
For one, I don't work a normal 40 hr/week job. I'm a commercial actress,
and I do meet a lot of fun people on set, including a few I've really
hit it off with and have become friends with. I just don't have the
daily comradery that is present in an office setting.
Secondly, everyone in the state of Texas has a minimum of 2 kids. When
you are in your mid 30's with no kids, it limits your options in friend
making considerably. The first thing out of anyone's mouth when they
meet you is "Do you have kids?" I don't blame people. I realize that
when you have kids, your entire life revolves around them, and it's only
normal to seek out friendships with people who have similar routines or
are part of the same car pool line. I may even ask that same question
myself someday God willing! I do always dread the next question that
usually comes though, "Any plans for kids?" or "Why not?" I will say
that those questions are at least better than the people who will give
you a fake smile, a "nice to meet you", and literally just turn away and
talk to someone else without even skipping a beat. I guess if you don't
have kids, it means you won't be supplying a gift at their child's next
birthday party, and you're not worth their time? Geez! Just because we
don't have children, doesn't mean we hate kids or are some kind of child
molesters!
On top of it all, I lost my parents to cancer and all but one of
my grandparents have also passed. My sisters live more than 1,000 miles
away, and we don't see each other much at all. Believe me, it's not for
lack of trying. I've visited their hometown about 6 or 7 times in the
last few years, and they've visited me 0 times. And no, I don't care
that half of those times were for funerals....if I spend time and money
to fly there, it still counts! I also have
enough room in this house to sleep at least 6 extra people, but that's
besides the point. I am just exhausted of sending out invitations at
this point. You'd think I lived in Antarctica or something!
Please don't confuse my desire to have children with boredom
either. I am not just looking to fill empty time. If I really wanted to
do that, I could just go to the spa more or plan some extra vacations. I
want to have a babies to create a family for my husband and myself,
because outside of the fact that I don't have close family as it is, I'm
probably just like most other human beings on this planet; With a
desire in my heart to give my love to someone that is the perfect
combination of my husband and myself. I want to look at a baby girl, and
see little pieces of my mom in her. I want to watch my husband be the
amazing father I know he'll be and give her an endless amount of love
and that unique relationship that every little girl deserves. I want to
have a baby boy with my husband's beautiful blue grey eyes and calm,
sweet temperament. I already know I will spend the rest of my life going
to golf tournaments once this this happens, but I'm still ok with that!
If there was ever a couple who was ready to have kids, it's us. I know
it doesn't make sense to some other people why I'm so fixated on having
children right now and doing "so many things" to try to help my chances.
I get a lot of "Just relax and it will happen" attitudes from people,
well meaning or otherwise. 3 years of not preventing was definitely a
good stretch of just relaxing before we started actively TTC'ing more
than a year ago. Just relaxing hasn't magically resulted in a baby in
the past 4 years. Despite that, I am trying my best to relax, but please
understand my reasons why, if I'm not very good at it.
"God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in
number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and
the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the
ground." - Genesis 1:28
My husband and I are also that lucky couple that are best friends and do everything together. I can't imagine a life that doesn't involve him. My life is so blessed because of him. We're also very much in love and that couple everyone rolls their eyes at since we love each other so much. I totally understand your desire, because it's within me too. While I'm envious of those with children, I'm not jealous. I wouldn't trade my life for theirs, I just want to add to mine the way you want to add to yours. What better to expand on such a great love than having children?
ReplyDeleteYou are so right on Texas too. I've had people look at me disgusted that I live in a 4 bedroom house without children. Almost like I have no right since I have no kids. No worries though, your kids are coming. They really are. It's going to be so amazing and so perfect when it finally happens and I know that neither one of will take a moment for granted with any of it because of the battle it took for us to get there. *hugs*
Haha! I know...my grandma would have a heart attack if she saw how big my house is with no kids yet. She's always saying, "People don't need these big houses" and proceeding to recount the Great Depression to me.
DeleteI do understand the difference between envy and jealousy and can relate. Thanks so much for the encouragement! I know it's coming!
I can so relate to this post! My DH and I are also best friends and are always together on weekends. We also don't have a lot of family or they live far away. My dad's side (including my dad) lives out of state...and most of my mom's side also out of state. DH is close to his dad, but his aunt and uncle and cousins live out of state...and he doesn't get along with most people on his mom's side. We want kids more than anything...we want pieces of our families combined into one adorable little person...we want to grow our family because the generations are getting older and the grandparents have passed away :( Holidays and get-togethers just aren't the same anymore...it's time for us to have a baby. We want that more than anything in this world!
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