Dreams to vows

Chapter 27: Support Systems

Difficulties in life are intended to make us better, not bitter.  Dan Reeves

POV:  Priscilla 💕

As the due date inched closer, everything around me felt like it was moving faster. The baby’s kicks were more frequent now, a reminder that soon, John and I would no longer be a duo but a trio. Each day brought new emotions, excitement, anxiety, joy, and a little fear. But one thing was clear: we wouldn’t be going through this journey alone. Our support system was stronger than ever, and its importance became more apparent with every passing day.

One Saturday afternoon, Tayo, my best friend, threw the most beautiful baby shower I could have ever imagined. Though Ada, my other close friend, was out of the country, she had supported Tayo with the planning every step of the way. It warmed my heart to know that even from a distance, Ada was still there for me. She couldn’t attend in person, but Tayo made sure to set up a video chat so Ada could be a part of the celebration.

As I stood in the doorway, watching Tayo adjust the streamers she had hung up, I felt a deep sense of gratitude. Our home was filled with the smell of fresh flowers, and the air was alive with laughter and excitement. The nursery, now fully furnished and decorated, became the centerpiece of admiration for anyone who wandered in to sneak a peek.

“I’m so glad we could do this for you,” Tayo said, standing on a chair as she carefully hung up the final decorations. Always the event planner, Tayo had taken on the task with enthusiasm. “Even though Ada couldn’t be here, she sends all her love. We both wanted to make this special.”

I smiled at her, shaking my head. “You’ve outdone yourself. This looks amazing.”

Just then, my phone buzzed, and Ada’s face appeared on the screen. Tayo grinned as she brought the phone over so I could say hello. Ada was sitting in her room, wearing a wide smile that made me forget she was thousands of miles away.

“Hey, Mama!” Ada said, waving enthusiastically through the screen. “I’m so sorry I couldn’t be there in person, but I’m with you in spirit! You know I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”

I laughed, holding the phone closer. “I miss you, Ada. Thank you for helping Tayo with all of this. It’s incredible.”

“Of course!” Ada replied. “I hope you love everything. You’re going to be the best mom, Priscilla. I’m so excited for you!”

We chatted for a few more minutes, with Ada offering her best wishes before we ended the call. Though I wished she could have been there in person, the video chat was a thoughtful way to include her in the celebration. I knew she was there in spirit, just as she had promised.

The house filled up quickly, the living room bustling with familiar faces—family members, friends, and colleagues, all there to share in our joy. I mingled with the guests, grateful for every smiling face and kind word. The baby shower wasn’t just a celebration of our baby’s impending arrival; it was a testament to the incredible community that surrounded us.

As I drifted through the room, I spotted John in the corner, chatting with my younger brother, Emeka, and my sister, Chioma. I couldn’t help but chuckle as Emeka tried to offer advice despite his lack of experience. Chioma, of course, was right there with him, trying to be just as helpful.

“So, do you have everything you need for the baby?” Emeka asked, holding a glass of soda as he leaned back in his chair. “I’ve done some research, and there are these high-tech baby monitors you should definitely check out.”

Chioma nodded, giving me a wide grin. “And don’t forget about the latest baby carriers! I saw this really cool one online—super comfy for both you and the baby.”

I laughed, shaking my head. “You two sound like you’re preparing for your own babies.”

Emeka shrugged, smiling sheepishly. “We’re just excited to be an uncle and aunt! We want to be prepared.”

John chuckled beside me, giving my siblings a warm smile. “Don’t worry, you two, we’ve got it under control. But we’ll definitely keep your tips in mind.”

Later in the evening, just when I thought the day couldn’t get any better, John’s parents arrived, their arms full of gifts. John’s mother, beamed as she handed me a carefully wrapped box containing a hand-knit blanket she had been working on for months.

“I’ve been so excited to give this to you,” she said, her voice full of affection as she hugged me. “You’re going to be such a wonderful mother, Priscilla. And I can’t wait to meet my grandchild.”

John’s father, Michael, stood beside her, giving John a hearty clap on the back. “We’ve been talking about this for a while now, son. It’s great to see everything coming together.”

As the evening unfolded, I couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed by the love and support surrounding us. The baby shower wasn’t just about gifts and advice; it was about community. It was about the friends and family who were standing by our side, ready to help in any way they could. I looked around the room at everyone—laughing, talking, celebrating—and felt a deep sense of gratitude.

After the last guest left and the house was quiet again, John and I sat together in the nursery, surrounded by baby clothes and gifts that now filled the once-empty room. I picked up a tiny onesie, running my fingers over the soft fabric. It was so small. Everything was so real now.

“I don’t think we could do this without everyone’s help,” I said quietly, folding the onesie and placing it in a drawer. “The shower today just reminded me how lucky we are to have such an amazing support system.”

John was standing by the closet, organizing a stack of blankets. He glanced over at me and nodded. “You’re right. It’s comforting to know that we’re not in this alone. Our friends and family have really shown up for us.”

The baby shower had been just the beginning. In the days following, I found myself leaning on my support system more than ever. Ada and Tayo checked in regularly, offering advice and making sure I was getting enough rest. They knew me well enough to know that I sometimes pushed myself too hard, trying to juggle my business and prepare for the baby at the same time. Tayo, in particular, was a constant source of encouragement, reminding me to slow down and savor these final weeks of pregnancy.

Even John’s parents had become a regular presence. Grace and Michael visited frequently, offering to help with last-minute preparations or simply to keep us company. Grace, who had raised three children herself, had an endless supply of wisdom, from how to set up the perfect feeding station to organizing baby essentials in a way that was both efficient and practical.

One evening, while Grace and I were folding the last of the baby clothes, she looked at me and said, “You’re going to be a natural at this, Priscilla. I can tell.”

Her words stayed with me long after she left. Becoming a mother was the most significant change I had ever faced, and while I had moments of doubt, the support from everyone around me helped ease those fears. John and I weren’t just preparing for the arrival of our baby; we were preparing for a new chapter in our lives, and our community—our family, our friends—were walking that journey with us.

Sitting in the nursery one night, after John had gone to bed, I found myself reflecting on how much our lives had changed. The nursery was no longer just a project; it was a symbol of the life we were about to welcome into the world. I thought about all the hands that had helped us prepare, all the advice that had been shared, and all the laughter and love that had filled this room during the baby shower.

For the first time in weeks, I felt completely at peace. I knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, we weren’t facing them alone. We had a strong foundation, built on love, friendship, and family.

John’s voice interrupted my thoughts as he poked his head into the nursery. “You coming to bed?” he asked softly.

I smiled and nodded, standing up and taking one last look around the room. “Yeah, I’m coming. I was just thinking…we’re really lucky, aren’t we?”

He crossed the room, wrapping his arms around me. “We are. And whatever comes next, we’re ready.”

And I knew, in that moment, we truly were.