Time Makes You Bolder

Exactly two years ago today, at almost the exact time as I write this post, I was walking down the aisle toward Mitch on my Dad’s arm. It was a day I imagined, as most young girls do, from a very young age. I daresay the day (ok, weekend) exceeded any expectation I could have imagined. From the dress to the desserts, every detail was a dream and I wouldn’t have changed anything even if I could. On that day, I felt like my life was beginning a brand new chapter, and in hindsight, it very much was. What I couldn’t have possibly guessed or imagined was how and where this beautiful life would take me and Mitch.

One year ago today, Mitch and I were strolling through the streets of Florence, with gorgeous blue skies and waking up to the toll of the Duomo’s bell tower. With not a care in the world, we spent two weeks in Italy, eating and drinking and toasting to one year of marriage.

A few days after arriving home and readjusting to the daily grind of American life, I found out I was pregnant. I ran downstairs and told Mitch, “you’re going to be a Daddy!” Again, it felt like my life book was turning the page to a new chapter and Mitch and I were on pins and needles to read each word.

As y’all know, our lives came to a screeching halt on June 30, 2016. If you’re a new reader, you can read more here. Now I have the beautiful gift of hindsight and know that the screeching halt was really just a stop sign and quickly learned how to move forward after receiving what was then devastating news.

I’ve been thinking about what I would say to myself if I could go back in time. I would tell myself to expect the unexpected. Nothing can prepare you for what lies ahead, but don’t let that keep you from living in the present. God has very special plans for you (and for each of us, really), and those plans are not always understood by mortal minds. Treasure time with your husband – the stresses of day to day can and will be overwhelming, but you’re a team more than individual players and remember that neither one of you could be successful without the other.

Down syndrome is a scary diagnosis, as is any health-altering diagnosis for your child, but it’s not world-ending. Regan has brought us so much joy and though there will continue to be challenges, we could not have imagined one year ago or two years ago the happiness that would befall us after such an unexpected life turn.