Chad and I had been together 14 months when Grace was born. Not a long time and I guess some people could say, we were still in the honey moon phase of our relationship. Adding a baby to the mix was never going to be easy and I know most people seemed a bit shocked when we told them we were expecting. It used to make me laugh as I could see people were dying to ask if it was planned, but anyone who knows me at all knows that I don't make big decisions lightly and ALWAYS plan.
I knew when we decided to have a baby that we would be tested. Lack of sleep, being overwhelmed, can bring you closer or push you apart. I guess I thought long and hard and realised that I really felt Chad was the right man to go on this scary adventure with. And every day I'm proven right.
Chad is an active father, participating in every aspect of child raising. He is also, in equal measures, a caring partner, constantly thinking about my well being and happiness.
Yes we argue, yes we have different views on things, and yes we work it out in our own silly way.
And yes things have changed with a baby, but not in a negative way. The fundamentals stay the same: we laugh, we tallk, we forgive. Not a perfect relationship by any stretch, but one I'll fight to keep.
So I sit here, comforting our baby, while Chad races off to get groceries. When he's home we'll split the work to get dinner prepared and baby to bed and then settle down to watch some of the Breaking Bad series. And I'll feel happy. Happier than I've ever been.