I had no idea I was pregnant until the nurse came in and told me I wasn’t going to have my surgery today. At that moment, I felt as if all my dreams were being ripped from me.

I was only 17. How was I going to raise a child? All I could think about was what my family was going to say and how people were going to look at me after they found out. I was never one to care what anyone thought of me, but I was also the one who had so many dreams and never disappointed anyone. When I came back to reality, I realized I had to tell my dad what was going on because he had to sign my release papers from the hospital. I imagined him yelling at me and telling me how stupid I was, but all he really said was he was more disappointed that I wasn’t going to have the surgery that I had waited for so long to have. He was so excited to learn that he would be a grandpa. When my boyfriend came into the room, he too had no idea the news he was about to receive. He thought I was crying because I was scared about going into surgery. But as soon as I told him, his eyes lit up and I knew he was going to be a wonderful dad.

Now, I am about 18 weeks pregnant and am so excited to be having this baby. I’m about to finish high school and enrolled to begin college classes in the fall. I want to prove to everyone wrong who says my baby will only get in the way of my dreams. In reality, this baby is one of many dreams I had, just coming true sooner than expected. I know I’m going to be a great mom and still do everything I said I wanted to do. Yes, it may be harder, but it will be well worth it in the end.