Well, the fun part of any secret is getting to reveal it. I'm the kind of person that just can't wait to tell people about things because I love giving surprises; however, for some reason, a baby seems to be something different. "They" say that you shouldn't really tell many people about a pregnancy until after the first trimester because the most bad things that can happen typically do in that time. I could care less what "they" say because I'm stinking excited!
Lisa is of the opinion that we should wait, but I convinced her to allow me to let the cat out of the bag. I love compromise! =) Now the question is, how do you tell someone you're pregnant? As with all important decisions and questions in life, you have to artfully crafting the perfect "reveal" is something that takes talent and is something that is necessary for life because there are so many "reveal" type moments, i.e. will you go out with me, will you marry me, we're having a baby, etc. Admittedly, I failed horribly on the first of these such situations. I asked my wife out via text (I'm a huge chicken, I know), but my proposal made up for it. Now comes the next big reveal: pregnancy.
My parents have been bugging me about grandkids since I was in college, before I even had a girlfriend. Small little comments, suggestions, nudges toward this girl or that one. Let's face it, my parents didn't really care who it was that gave them the grandkids, they just wanted grandkids. "I'm not getting any younger" and all that jazz. Nevertheless, how do you reveal something like this? You can't just come out and say, "Well, my boys can swim!" or "Hi mom, we're pregnant." You have to reveal these things. You can't use crazy euphemisms or clichés, you gotta build up to right moment. So, time to tell the parents. I knew my parents would be ecstatic about it, but still there is that lingering nervousness about the situation. It's the same excited/embarrassed feeling you get when you announce that you are getting married. When you say, "We're pregnant," everyone knows what you've been doing, which really makes the situation even more awkward, but you really wanna let the world know.
So, I called up dear ole mom and dad tonight to tell them the good news. We had some friends who came over to stay the night, new missionaries in town, but I had already set up my Skype date with the fam to spill the beans. The Skype phone rings and the video feed starts, although I have the volume turned down so low that you can barely hear what is happening. I'm not sure why I'm so nervous, but I really am. We don't want anyone else to know yet, but I just can't keep in the good news any more. I'm notoriously bad at keeping things inside. So, we initiate our quiet little conversation with my parents, as our dear friends watch TV in the other room. We chit chat some and then my mom starts talking about vacation this or that, something to that effect. I admit I wasn't paying much attention. I nervously look over at Lisa and say, "Well, you might wanna save some vacation time for October, because we're expecting." Not the greatest reveal, but certainly better than, "Well, the Sears swim team wins. We're pregnant!" I'm still working on mastering this craft.
It sure feels good to address the Elephant in the room, even though I'm the only one that knows he's there, kinda like Jimmy Stewart and Harvey. Like the saying goes, "Secrets, secrets are no fun, unless you share with everyone!" So, the secret is out, albeit to a very small audience, but our little circle of trust will grow as more and more discover. I can't wait to tell my brother!
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