this saturday marks four weeks since i broke off a five year relationship with my boyfriend, who i had hoped to spend the rest of my life with, and asked him to move out.

i was in my 30s years old at the time. i had always wanted a baby - eventually - but due to pursuing my education, becoming financially stable, and finding the right partner, the time hadn't previously been right.

2010: i was 16 years old and my boyfriend and i were in an on again off again relationship for the past year. we had sex without a condom and i missed my period.

i was 26. we had been together a few short months when my birth control pills failed. i woke up one morning, vomiting, thinking i had the flu.

our son was two and we were ready to add on to our family. i became pregnant after our first try and we were very excited. i was a little nervous about my “advanced age” as i was 36 going on 37, but otherwise i felt good.

i am a 29 year old mother to a beautiful 7 year old girl. she has truly made my life a joy since the day she was born.