I have identical twin 4 year old boys, and am 19 weeks pregnant with our third and last. Just as I had desperately hoped the twins were boys, I was equally hopeful this last one would be a girl. When I found out it was also a boy, i was thankful he was healthy and strong but I grieved for days for the daughter I would never have, and quietly packed away my dreams of Peter Pan collars and braiding hair and mother-daughter outings. I ugly cried into my pillow while my boys raced through the house with their superheroes and legos and dinosaurs, until my son saw me and asked me “where does it hurt?”

I pointed to my heart and said “inside” and he swiftly kissed my shirt over my chest and wiped my tears away, while his brother brought me a giant Batman bandaid - and my grief evaporated.

My little boys can be rough and tumble but are also INCREDIBLY tender and loving and just amazingly fun. I am filled with thanksgiving and honored & privileged to raise THREE good men. 💗