Share

This past week, Marshal and I spent our days lounging on the beaches of Martha’s Vineyard with my best friend and her husband, who were married there just last year. It was wonderful being away from the real world with my husband, our friends, and the gorgeous sea sparkling around us. We spent a lot of time chatting and discussing our futures, touching on different topics that came up here and there. For married couples like ourselves, one of these topics is particularly typical: When are we having babies?

I know this question can often be awkward and invasive depending on who is asking, but given the fact that we were with our best friends, we were open and willing to discuss it. (And not just because my best friend and I would love to time our child-bearing perfectly so our kids can be best friends too. Okay that’s a lie, we want to time it to the nanosecond.) She and her husband are at a point where they are ready for this next wonderful step, and therefore, she has made sure to research the topic like a pro.

Once this conversation ensued, I was floored by the information she provided. “When you’re pregnant, you can’t eat chocolate, you can’t eat seafood, absolutely no lunch meat, no soft cheeses, and no caffeine, which of course means no coffee.” I’m sorry… WHAT? As she was speaking, I’m pretty sure I went temporarily blind, and I’m 100 percent positive I felt my heart screech to a halt. The foods she listed are the exact foods I covet. They are a lifeline to my happiness. And anyone who knows me is well aware of my love affair with coffee, i.e., black gold. Is this information true? Could it be a mean joke? Granted, she actually said, “foods to avoid,” but all I heard was, “Do not touch.”

After the initial shock of this information wore off, I realized that it really didn’t matter. Sure, I would miss my cozy cup of joe for nine months. And yes, I will crave chocolate and most likely threaten lives to try to get it. But what the conversation made me realize was that even though I would have to give up the foods I loved the most, it pales in comparison to the joy and excitement that a baby would bring into our lives. So although we’re not ready to start talking babies just yet, I know that when we are, I will be more than okay with the sacrifices that come with it.

This affects comments on all stories.