I teared up when the sonogram tech said the words.
“It’s a girl.”
What I’d dared to name in my prayers was now real. She had a name: Elise.
I looked over at my husband and saw tears in his eyes too. Our two boys sat on the floor, staring at the screen a couple of minutes longer until their attention turned to their video games.
For the rest of the day, I was on an emotional high. We went to Babies R’ Us and I immersed myself in all things girl — the bows, the pink, the dresses, and frillies. I didn’t think I’d be so enamored with it all, but I was.
Our first girl was coming, and I couldn’t wait. But I also knew.
I knew there would be challenges we wouldn’t face with our boys. Hormones and drama and cycles and the need to be loved.
I also knew there would be the temptation to look for love in all the wrong places. And while the conversation about sex was one we would have with our boys too, it would be different. Because we are made differently.
There’s been a lot of talk lately about women’s rights. Social media is filled with articles about a woman’s right to her body, to not be pregnant, and to safe contraception.
Some of the conversation is needed and good. And some of it is disturbing on many levels.
Until this point, I’ve stayed out of it. My goal will always be to love and encourage, and I honestly couldn’t think of anything encouraging to say on the topic.