Linda: “Seeing the 2 lines was the beginning of an enormous rollercoaster”

While we mourned my mother-in-law and I took care of all the arrangements for my father-in-law, I felt something change. Fatigue, tender breasts, and pimples... I thought it was stress. But right in the midst of that tough week, I suddenly held a positive pregnancy test in my hands. Two bold lines, amidst the sorrow.

The unexpected loss of my mother-in-law

On February 8, 2024, quite unexpectedly, my mother-in-law passed away, leaving a tremendous void. The mental vulnerability of my father-in-law made the passing of my mother-in-law even more worrisome. What was to become of him now? Living completely independently is unfortunately not an option for him, so I immediately sprang into action to make arrangements.

All week I was busy creating an address list for the funeral cards, rescheduling my work appointments so I could be there for everyone at home, preparing the guest room for my father-in-law so he could temporarily live with us, establishing contact with the local team and various care agencies to arrange care for my father-in-law. In between, I received the quote for our wedding in the mail and had to take care of the dog and my horses as well. And take care of myself, that too. Fortunately, I did a lot together with Rob, my boyfriend, but despite that, it was a tremendous amount.

Physical signals that I couldn't ignore

Amidst all the arranging, I noticed that my breasts were extremely sensitive, I was extremely tired, and suddenly I had pimples everywhere. It must be the stress, I thought. But what if I am pregnant after all?

The first test: negative

Hmm, should I do an early test anyway? On February 15, 2024, a day before my mother-in-law's farewell service, I took an early test. Rob thought it was nonsense, because according to the semen analysis, it wouldn't be so obvious for us to get pregnant easily, but I did it anyway. With trembling knees, I took the test. Waiting for the result seemed to last an eternity.

Even though my mother-in-law was no longer with us in the flesh, it seemed very special to me to have a positive test in my hands before she was cremated. Unfortunately, the test turned out negative. Despite the negative result, I still had a feeling somewhere that the result was not correct.

The farewell and new suspicions

Several days passed. On February 16, 2024, we had a beautiful farewell service for my mother-in-law and were able to let her go with love. Throughout the weekend, I kept thinking about the symptoms I was feeling.

On Monday, February 19, 2024, I decided in the evening, while Rob was feeding the horses with his father, to take another test. After all, I had them in stock. As soon as I peed on the first test, it quickly showed two lines. See, I thought. Or did I ruin the test because I peed on it? Still, I took another test to be sure, but this time I peed in a jar. Again two lines...

The moment of telling

I grabbed my phone and with a trembling voice asked Rob if he was almost finished in the stable, but because I couldn't contain myself, I blurted out immediately after that I was pregnant.

A quarter of an hour later he came home, but he wasn't very enthusiastic. Not because he wasn't happy that we're going to be parents, but because the sorrow of his mother's passing was still so fresh. I understand that very well and I empathize with him.

Two thick lines

The next morning, just to be sure, I took another test: two thick lines.

It's a tangle of emotions and it's a lot, but our happiness knows no bounds.

Finally, we are becoming dad and mom...!

LINDA