The Thanksgiving We'll Never Forget

So yesterday happened. We told our families about the baby over Thanksgiving dinner and I’m still not sure if I’m awake or dreaming. Marcus and I had practiced what we’d say maybe a dozen times, but the moment we opened our mouths at my parents’ house, everything went out the window.

My mom started crying before we even finished the sentence. Dad got this look on his face - not upset, just… processing - and then he stood up and hugged Marcus so hard I thought he might crack a rib. But Abuela Rosa, she just looked at me with this knowing smile and said “I knew, mija. You have the glow.” Apparently I’ve been glowing and nobody told me?

The Thanksgiving We’ll Never Forget

Later at the Hartwells’, Ted and Patty were surprised but so warm about it. Patty immediately started talking about baby names and knitting blankets, and Ted just kept shaking his head and smiling. Marcus looked like he might pass out the entire time, but he held my hand through all of it.

I keep thinking about how much everything is about to change. Six months ago I was just Elena, nursing student with a boyfriend who draws on napkins. Now I’m Elena, almost-graduate, almost-wife, almost-mom. It’s terrifying and amazing and I can’t stop touching my still-flat stomach like there’s proof in there somewhere.