Golden Week

Seven years ago I was preparing to leave California for my English teaching stint in Japan. I was in need of a break from my high school teaching job, but I was also following after my then boyfriend. As fate would have it, I was placed nowhere near that boyfriend, and instead learned I was headed to the Kumano area.

Six years ago, I was enjoying my new life in Japan, and had become close friends with someone I thought would make an ideal life partner. Unfortunately, we were both attached to other people.

Five years ago, we were attached to each other, but I was wondering if we had a future together. Less than two months later we were married.

Four years ago, I was struggling with infertility, and beginning to regret having waited so long to get married and start a family.

Three years ago, I was in the first trimester of my pregnancy. While I was certainly happy, I was also afraid that I didn’t have what it takes to become a good mother. Six months later I gave birth to Evan.

Two years ago, I was struggling with postpartum depression (but didn't know it at the time). I wasn’t enjoying motherhood very much (not that I expected it to be all sunshine and daisies) and was seriously questioning if I’d made a big mistake in getting married and having a baby.

One year ago, I was mourning the loss of the baby that wasn’t to be. But just two months later we learned that Elise was on her way.

Now my family includes two sweet children and a husband who not only lets me sleep in in the morning, but also fixes us all bentos while I do.

And I’m grateful.