Old Friends, New Story

I think I can keep this brief… I think.

It was December 2020 when we first spoke. She said she was due in May 2021 and it was all good because my books were open.

We talked a bit, got a bit of her life story, her conception story, her pregnancy journey up to that point.

You know, easy conversation.

We agreed to meet in person on December 19, 2020 some time in the afternoon or so.

I got a text around 5 or 6am and she told me her water broke. It took me a few seconds to process what I read.

I asked if she was alone and she wasn’t; she had family present.

It’s confirmed that she’s in labor, time goes by, she births a baby boy later in the day.

Unfortunately, she didn’t get to take him home in the traditional sense.

We remained in contact throughout the holidays and I didn’t meet her in person until the New Year.

I wanted to give her some space to process a bit before we started bereavement services.

I met her in January and that was the true beginning.

We met weekly and talked.

She processed, I listened.

She asked questions, I answered.

She inquired about certain postpartum milestones and I shared my knowledge.

Over time our conversations got more and more candid.

Eventually we didn’t need weekly check ins but bi-weekly to monthly and then just as we thought about each other and wanted to share life updates.

Fast forward to 2022.

We’re still keeping in contact but she shares with me that she’s pregnant and I’m immediately excited.

She’s due February 2023 and I’m even more excited!

We walk through how this pregnancy is different, how support will look for her this time around and her expectations for birthing, etc.

We’re rocking the whole pregnancy and through birth.

Checking in at the milestones that might have caused anxiety and doing my best to calm her fears.

She births beautifully and I couldn’t help but think “My homegirl just had a baby girl like a pro and this unlocks a new level of this dynamic.”

I’m grateful that she allowed me on the journey this time around.

To be part of this new chapter in life.

I’m grateful to have an old friend writing a new story!

To My Homegirl: Thank you! For trusting me, for allowing me in, for keeping me in the loop, for laughing with me, being vulnerable with me and just being you. Congratulations on your bundle of love and I wish you all the best on this journey! I love you both and can’t wait to be in the streets with y’all and the Twinado! 😂

Love You Through Thick & Thin,

Aeryka✌🏾💜