For He Who Cares (a Whole Lot About Me!)

When I think of all the people in my life, I feel fortunate to have so many caring and thoughtful souls surrounding me. This has never been more evident than since I've been pregnant and have become unemployed. People have come out of the woodwork to "check" on me, to offer me maternity clothes, baby goodies, advice, and more.

Just yesterday I posted a status update on Facebook saying "Sarah is making her registry list and is OVERWHELMED!". This led to a string of wall posts and messages from "friends" offering advice on how to create a registry and which products to select. I was merely looking to vent and I was offered a slew of useful tips. It was amazing.

Two days ago my Dad stopped by to say hello (and visit his granddog). He was asking how the baby shopping is progressing and then generously offered to foot the bill for the crib... and handed me the check, right then and there! I was sort of speechless and could only muster a "Wow! Thanks SO much, Dad!" which is not nearly enough gratitude.

There there is the crew of friends and family working on my baby shower. Knowing the team, I can only imagine how grateful I am going to feel that day. And my Mom? My goodness. The woman is footing the bill for said gala. How can I not feel so blessed to have a Mom who wants to make sure her baby and HER baby are well prepared?!

The list of acts of kindness is seemingly endless and while the instances above reference financial help, I've been offered more emotional support than I could ever dream of. It seems that I am always only a phone call, a Facebook or email message, or a stop-by away from someone who wants to help. I really could pay tribute to so many people in my life. It's actually been the most humbling experience of my life.

Above all of the family and friends who have reached out and shown their unstoppable love, there is one figure in my life whom I have never loved or appreciated more than I have in the last 5 months. Pipe in the cheesy love song because I am talking about my husband, my best friend, and the love of my life. Husbands rarely get recognition as a caregiver; they are more known as providers, protectors, and partners. "Caregiver" is typically a term reserved for the great women of the world. While my husband might not portray the term caregiver in the sense you imagine, his effortless way with me in my pregnancy is most admirable and so genuine.

It may sound cliche and a bit melodramatic but with 100% sincerity I can say that, as I go through the dramas of my first pregnancy and unemployment, I do not think there is anyone that could show me as much care, support, and love as my husband.

Anyone who knows him and who knows us as a couple would attest to the fact that we have an enormous amount of love for each other and we have one of those relationships that people wish for. Its enviable, I guess you can say. This man truly LOVES and ADORES me (as I do him) and it has never been more evident.

He's been so accomodating and supportive with this whole pregnancy and expecting a child experience and I am filled with a new sense of gratitude with each of his actions.

Foot rub? Sure, no problem. Chick flick? Ok, let's do it. A trip to Babies R Us? I'll drive and buy you lunch afterwards. Crying again? I'll console you.

I frequently have to pinch myself to make sure I am not dreaming because he really is THAT awesome. I try not to take advantage of his offer to give me a daily back rub for the rest of my pregnancy but... he reminds me everyday so its hard not to. (Yes - a man like this really does exist!)

Then there is the unparalleled compassion in the bedroom. (Get your minds out of the gutter, I am talking about sleeping!) Any pregnant woman can tell you that sleeping is a bit of a chore through the nine months of carrying. From the dos and don'ts in regards to sleeping positions to the hot flashes to the general insomnia, sleep does not come easy. In my defense, when I am not sleeping, I am TRYING to sleep. Rather than reading a book or heading to the living room for some quiet TV, I continuously toss and turn, adjust pillows, get up to pee, change clothes, etc. It has to be terrible for my sleeping companion and I am quite mindful of this throughout the night (which lends to LESS sleeping because sometimes I become so preoccupied with disrupting HIS sleep that I am left wide awake and scared to move). In the morning, I always expect him to be grouchy and frustrated with me for ruining a perfectly good night of sleeping but he is NEVER. He's insanely compassionate.

Beyond the "favors" or willingness to do whatever suits my fancy, he is already becoming an incredible father to our little baby in my belly. Everyday he's reading a book, a magazine, or an online article relative to pregnancy, baby life, baby gear, etc. And everyday he rubs my belly and speaks to our little girl, giving her some fatherly words of wisdom.

It melts my heart to watch him evolve into this role. I am so blessed to have him as a partner in life and I know that with him by my side, we can and we will get through anything. And, I know, he will ALWAYS take care of me.


I’ve waited my whole life to feel this blessed. Now I’m comparing the dream to the way it is. - from Divide Me by Kalai

CVS is celebrating Caregivers with their ForAllTheWaysYouCare.com. I was IMMEDIATELY inspired to participate, not just for the loot they are offering but because Kevin has endured a lot as a husband recently and the respect and gratitude is long overdue and well deserved.