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It happens, more often than not; typically at a job interview or some other questioning higher authority: More than likely filling out some application and the questions come "Your age?" (19) "I'm assuming you have no dependents" (Actually yes, a little boy, age 2). Following this is the deer in headlights glance, the straight faced forced smile and the silence while they do the math: 19-2.... - 9 months: 16

Yes, sixteen years old, a junior in high school; and despite any of the assumptions so commonly fabricated about teen pregnancy I attended church regularly, my parents had a perfect marriage, I was never abused or neglected or "looking for love in all the wrong places", nor was I promiscuious or even the slightest bit flirtatious. All notions of love aside, I was curious as is any teenager and perhaps let it get the better of me. During this time I kept the pregnancy a secret from most; withstanding sermons in church about infidelity, and projects presented in English class on the students' opinions on how such pregnancies were corroding the very delicate fabric of our immaculate society. I was a statistic, a shining example of all things wrong with our world; yet I prevailed.
Then of course the pressure set in. What was to be done? An adoption? Do I keep the baby? Can I hadle a baby and school? Suddenly everything set into a whirl wind of decisions, planning, preparing, reading, learning and understanding. There were inumerable letters sent to me from couples looking to adopt, doctor visits every month, every which way someone regulating what food I could eat, what to drink, when and how often I was to exercise; and I took it all in stride. I kept my head level and tried to make the world be still as everything around continued to flash forward. The decision still hung over my head; adoption? or not?
And then I saw his face on a black and white screen. A little profile image of a child sucking his two fingers in the womb, a habit he maintains to this day; and suddenly I just knew. This was my child and I was going to do whatever I had to do for him. The next three months were a blur. Purchasing baby items as quick as we could find them. I sold my prized guitar to buy tiny blue outfits. I finished my junior year a week prior to his birth and when he came there was such immaculate joy, as I assume few people ever experience in their entire lives. I prevailed.
The pressure continued to drop out of school and let my parents care for us and I objected. I moved to a new state with some distant family, finished high school and actually got accepted to college. I prevailed.
Do I ever wish to be an "average" college student? No responsibilities, free to party as I wish? Certainly not. Everything I know of love, of motivation, determination and faith I learned from the chubby toddler slumbering in the next room and I regret not one minute of his exsistance. Together; we prevailed.

Learn more about this author, Jessica Page.
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