I have often spoken about how much I truly enjoy Nathaniel's family. Most notably, I got FOUR NEW SISTERS when I said "yes" to Nathaniel. As a girl who never had a sister growing up, the possibility of late night giggling and craft hours made my heart so happy! I love each and every one of my sisters! They are beautiful, talented, driven, diverse, and entertaining. I am THRILLED that my child will share holidays and DNA with them.
When Nathaniel and I got married, only one sibling had changed her last name. Jessica, the youngest sister, married my fantastic brother in law, Matt, on 8.8.08. Both very dedicated to their future and their goals, they work a lot, study hard, and renovate their sweet little house together. I like to joke with Nathaniel that Jess and Matt are he and I in reverse - Jess and Nathaniel are even-keeled, matter of fact, and (at times) scathingly sarcastic... especially to one another. Matt and I are more emotional, effusive, and from the eastern US. Jessica can make me laugh for hours with the stories of how she inadvertently ruins her husband's hard work at romance when she comes home from work turning on lights, blowing out candles and yelling to him about why there are rose petals on the floor! When the four of us are together, conversation is easy and laughter is commonplace.
A few weeks ago, I got a phone call from the phone number programed into my phone as "Jessica." It was Matt's voice that cheerfully greeted me, though. He asked me if I remembered our most recent visit to Utah, where Jess and I traded jabs about my accidental pregnancy and her spitting in the air about the whole scenario. Jess just laughed at me and told me there was no chance she'd be joining our ranks of surprisingly pregnant anytime soon. I told him I remembered those exchanges well. He told me I could now point and laugh - he and Jessica are expecting!
She is due May 8, 2011. Our children will be less than one month apart!
This news thrills me for several reasons:
First, my best friend is my cousin. We only lived near each other for the first 9 years of my life. The rest of the time, she faithfully sent cards, waited for me to visit, and managed to keep in touch. We are about 3 months apart. I have high hopes that, especially if they are the same gender, our children can be great friends who love and support one another throughout their lives.
Secondly, while I have NO desire to join mommy support groups or play groups or anything like that, I LOVE that I have a sister with whom I can travel this journey. She and I have shared our moments of nausea, pains, and frustrations. Things like decisions about flu shots seem better when you have someone going through it, in real time, for the first time with you!
Third, my in laws are getting the influx of grandchildren they have waited so patiently for. Nathaniel put the gray hair on their head. Now he gets to give that gray hair credibility as they become grandparents. I love that his parents get to brag about the wedding and baby explosion currently going on in their family - they deserve every bragging right they get.
Fourth, holidays are going to be so fun with two little ones - for them AND for us! My niece and nephew have rejuvenated our family traditions. I'm so pleased our baby will have a partner in crime for Eschler holidays!
Fifth, my niece and nephew are a joy to me. They are fun and entertaining, encouraging and sustaining. I am SO HAPPY that Nathaniel will become a father and an uncle (again... Emory and Elizabeth call him "Duncle Dannel...") and I get to be an aunt again! I am SO happy that Nathaniel's sisters get to be aunts and that, come New Year's Eve, the babies will have a fantastic new Uncle Josh. I've so enjoyed the process of loving my brother and sister in law's children, I'm happy that these babies will be able to be in the center of such love and, invariably, enthusiasm.
Lastly, I am so excited about this coincidence because Nathaniel and I have a 10 year plan that involves living near Jess and Matt in the end. We once spoke to them about how we need to meet each other in 10 years and buy a Victorian home in Boston that can be split in 2. Jessica enthusiastically agreed. Having children at the same age means not having to venture into school systems alone, having chronic partners in figuring out how to make sure the children avoid the pitfalls of youth as much as possible, mutual childcare possibilities, fun holidays, and the extended family I so much want for my child. Our living arrangement would be wonderful - for us AND the children - now that the stork is making 2 stops in the Eschler family!
This news has encouraged me as I have been so frustrated by my other life circumstances. I know that this season will pass and we have MUCH to look forward to - for ourselves and our family at large.
Who knows... maybe I'll be a little bit late and she'll be a little bit early and our kids will share a birthday? In any case, YAY!!!!!!
I can vouch for the fact that cousins close in age are bff's in spite of distance! Congrats !!!!
ReplyDeleteI thought of you when she called... That's the reason I still hold out hope for a shared birthday possibility, too :)
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