I was 17 and halfway through my senior year in high school. I also had no place to live. When I told my boyfriend he freaked out, and told me he would pay for an abortion, but would not hang around if I didnt get one.

Dear Becky — hey. Last December I found out I was pregnant. I was 17 and halfway through my senior year in high school. I also had no place to live. When I told my boyfriend he freaked out, and told me he would pay for an abortion, but would not hang around if I didnt get one.

I thought that there was no way to choose anything else, so I made an appointment to go to the clinic. The night before I changed my mind. I received ultrasound pictures of my nephew from my brother, and could not deny that there was definetly a child inside. I called my boyfriend and told him I had changed my mind. That was the last time I talked to him.

I called my dad and told him what happened, and we got together to talk. He agreed to let me move back in with him as long as I stayed in school. The mornings where I was sick on the bus were no fun, but it was worth it when I graduated in June. I was 27 weeks pregnant. I had my son September 3rd, and he is beautiful. It scares me to think how close I came to ending his life. He smiled at me last week, and it made all the hard times worth while. I will be starting school this January, and I know now that my future was not made any worse by keeping my son. Now I have someone to share my future with.

That guy was not worth killing my son. Anyone who asks you to choose him over your child is not someone you want to be with anyway. But I couldn’t be happier with how things worked out. I love my son and I cant wait to see what’s coming!

Laura

Dearest Laura — I’m Lisa and I am from the Stand Up Girl website. Wow! What a heart warming, wonderful story you shared! My heart just sang with joy when I read at how you Stood Up for your baby boy. Isn’t it the biggest reward when you see all the milestones? His first smile, his first word, his first step?

Thank you, Laura, for sharing your story. I know that when many girls read your story it will be an encouragement to them. That she too can have her baby and she can still go on with her life. That by having her baby it’s not making her future worse – it’s really more of a joy.

Thank you so much for sharing your story.

Luv Lisa