They Say it Takes a Village - Thank You to Mine.....

When I was twenty, my boyfriend (now husband of 14 years) and I fell pregnant. We were in our third year of university, living on campus and living the uni life.

Our lives changed then and there…..and in the most incredible way. 

The phrase, “It takes a village to raise a child” was never more true than in those months leading up to, and after the birth of our beautiful girl. As a young couple, still at uni, determined to finish our degrees, the number of people that wrapped themselves around us and helped us in that time, was phenomenal. 

There was the uni friend, who after our girl was born, would work all day as a casual teacher and then turn up on my door step, ready to babysit so that I could get to my next lecture. 

There was the lecturer, who let my 4 month old baby sleep in a capsule under her desk, while I worked on a group assignment (Urgh! Remember those!). 

There was the nun! Who was the head of my college, and did everything in her power to ensure that I stayed at uni and finished my degree. Who bought us a port-a-cot when we couldn’t afford one, and who just gave me a hug when I was a scared, pregnant, uni student, feeling overwhelmed at the thought of what the future was going to look like. 

They were my village. Now, as a 38 year old mum, forging forward in my career, my family, and just life in general, I look back at my village and could not be more grateful. 

But you know what is even more amazing?

Tonight, I posted the pictures from that little bubba’s Year 10 formal. I put two gorgeous photos up on Facebook. My beautiful baby, now 16, dressed in a gorgeously classy pale pink dress and nude heels. Looking every part the young woman, on the precipice of her own future….and that village re-appeared. 

The friend who used to babysit.

The lecturer.

The nun.

The village re-appeared. Comments that wrapped around her, supported her, celebrated the amazing young woman she has become.

The village is bigger. The village is stronger. Most with their own babies, their own marriages, their own lives. 

But still there. 

In the background, cheering us on. Supporting my girl, and celebrating the gorgeous young woman she has become. 

They were my team then. And they are my team now. 

It definitely does take a village to raise a child….and I honestly believe that mine is the most amazing one of all.

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