Ok, so it could have been the pregnancy hormones, and it could still be the postpartum/breastfeeding hormones — but I’m a sucker for people showing up for me.
I’m a do-everything-myself, no I don’t need any help (but I do, lol), “it’s not too hard”…Strong Independent WOMAN. I can’t tell if I don’t get much help because I act that way, or if I act that way because I don’t get much help. (That’s probably another entry for another day.)
During my second pregnancy, I was busy planning my own baby shower. With a hard pregnancy, a seven-year-old, a husband, bills, and just life in general…I was canceling that shower in my head every five minutes.
Then one day, a friend invited me to a park play day for the kids. I love the park, so of course I said yes. I showed up and, walking up, I saw a table decorated with snacks, pizza, and gift bags. My first thought: OMG, why didn’t she tell me it was her daughter’s birthday…or someone’s birthday?
As I got closer, I noticed the baby decorations. And then came the wave of overwhelming discomfort — because I am not used to people doing things for me. They yelled “Surprise!” and surprised I was. They had planned and executed a baby sprinkle.
I didn’t know what to do, or how to act. So I just let myself embrace it.
It was a beautiful day. She had gotten my favorite kind of snacks, the kind of pizza I actually liked, juice I drank, and she even decorated in a way that matched my “surprise” gender reveal theme. I ate pizza, watched the kids play, opened gifts, and talked with friends for hours. There were six of us, plus four kids — and that was more than enough.
That experience gave me energy I didn’t even know I needed, and it’s forever engraved in my memory. She had really paid attention to me. I enjoy the simple things — and she captured that perfectly.
Later, I did have my big baby shower, and I even had contractions all day because of it. I’m thankful for everything I received during this pregnancy, but what I appreciate most is that quiet surprise at the park.
Because having someone show up for you makes all the difference, even when you don’t realize you need it. The next time someone is there for you — embrace it. Even strong, independent women need people to show up sometimes. Maybe that’s the real strength: letting them.
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