When I came home from the hospital with our newborn, I found the locks replaced and less than a day later, my husband appeared, banging on the door and shouting in desperation.

I had waited a long time to become a mother. Not dramatically just quietly, patiently, year after year, smiling through other people’s pregnancy announcements while whispering to myself, one day.
My husband, Raymond, and I talked about it late at night, our voices low, as if speaking too loudly might scare the dream away.

When it finally happened, I felt equal parts joy and fear.
Pregnancy was hard. I was constantly exhausted, my back ached, my feet swelled. Ray tried to stay calm for both of us. He read articles, tracked apps, talked to my belly when he thought I wasn’t listening.