What I Wish I Would Have Known

I was watching Christina's video on what she wishes she would have known before beginning her TTC journey. One thing she said really struck a cord with me and I really felt like I should blog about it, so I am.

She mentioned a lot of really good things that I would say ditto to, but the one that stuck out the most would have to be to keep living your life. She said she mentioned she wanted to get her masters degree, but kept thinking she would get pregnant today, tomorrow, or next week, and she didn't get her daughter for three and a half years. I have to totally agree with her on this.

Two years ago next month, I decided to go get my high school diploma after being out of school for about ten years, because I wanted to attend college that fall. We were still four years away from NYEBoy graduating and it was the perfect time for me to go to college.

I won't say that I necessarily put college off because of infertility, because I never really thought I could go to college until I met NYEBoy and began helping my sister her first year. But, if it weren't for infertility, I don't think I would have ever gone to college. My one goal in life has been to be a mom and wife, but infertility has given me the time to see that there are many women out there who are wife and mothers, when suddenly they become single mothers. Be it death or divorce, they are often caught off guard when they are expected to be the sole caregiver to their children. As for me personally, that would have meant that I didn't have a high school diploma much less a college degree. Death or divorce are hard enough to deal with on their own, much less the financial aspect to raising a child on your own as well.

I am almost half way done with my double major and I am so very proud of myself. If you've ever thought about going to college for the first time (I was 26!) or maybe you thought about graduate school, or maybe you want to switch careers, I would say not to let infertility stand in your way. This doesn't mean you have to put off treatments, but if you're having to wait any way, why not make it a productive wait?

When we finally do become parents to a live baby, the one thing I will be able to say about our wait was that I earned my degrees and if God forbid anything happens to NYEBoy or our relationship, I will be able to provide for our child(ren) without having to wonder what kind of job I am going to be able to get.