i love when i can actually look around at the tangible and intangible things in my life and see, fully see, the energy i put out coming back to me. the hopes, the love, the dreams- all reflected in my day-to-day life. even better is when it’s a surprise!

right now, my life is pretty damn good. i have so much love in me and around me that i sometimes don’t know where to put it all. i am in love and it’s the first emotionally mutual relationship i’ve ever had. it’s the first time in my life i’ve been with someone who was just as in love with me as i am with him, at a time when we were both available to each other. the same man i took to my high school prom, and i loved him just as much then. we have a healthy, beautiful, energetic, happy, loving son and we all adore each other. 

but the expanse of positive wealth in my surroundings has layered over into other aspects that i’m just truly understanding.

i realized when i got pregnant that my social life was going to change. i would have to limit the time i spent with lots of my friends, only because they are good people and there are some things good people don’t like to do around pregnant women. even if it’s play loud music or have a cigarette, some people are just protective of the mother-to-be and my friends are those people. i didn’t want them to be uncomfortable so i didn’t hang out much. and the same applies to a woman wearing a 6 month old strapped to her front. there are some things good people just don’t like to do around kids. i totally get it.

but i was missing a community. i was feeling a bit isolated and it was an unfamiliar feeling to me. i’ve always spent a lot of time alone, it was often the side effect of being a black nerd. but this time i was in unchartered waters and it was unpleasant. kinda like ‘castaway’; i felt like i was reinventing fire….only in my womb.

but then, in what was a remarkably quick show of understanding, all of the members of my new community surfaced and gave me a little hug, even if we never saw each other. i got messages and emails from couples and mothers and soon-to-be mothers and lots more happy, nappy, natural people and it was all love and peace. it was sharing and laughing and offers of help and i was always touched and reassured. i was given a circle where i could laugh when i felt like crying, talk freely about disgustingly personal bodily functions and not have a single raised eyebrow, and just hang out and not feel like i was bringing the party down.

and i love my old friends, they are still my family and so close and dear to me and i see them whenever i can. i even take the baby sometimes (he’s just too cute and people need to see him sometimes, he makes them happy!). and now i’m even more blessed with another family that i can call out to for advice, amusement, and nervous breakdown avoidance and they all have their own level of ‘i’ve been there’ experience. 

this is my big ol’ hug to all of you! every one of my family and friends who knew to send me love when i needed it. who offered me help (even though i’m not very good at asking for help), who shared a story, who hung out with me at various levels of hormonal schizophrenia.

thank you, i love you, and i’m hugging you right now.

p.s. this big ol’ bear hug goes out especially to kandi, tomeka, tori, the bennu tribe, mirlande and fam, stefanie, and meagan cuz you love our babies soooo much!