January 13th is a Friday this year, as I am sure you are well aware. For some this is a day filled with superstition. Friday or not, I can’t help but grin from ear to ear on January 13th each year.
In January of 2005 babies were the furthest thing from my mind. In fact I spent the better part of at least three or four nights a week with two older gentleman. One had been around at least a couple hundred years the other was in his early 80s. Jim Beam. And Ralph. I was tending bar in the evenings and working at The Outer Banks Hospital in the dietary office during the day. Ralph was my favorite customer both places. Jim Beam was his drink of choice. My days were fulfilling and my nights were long and hazy but I had youth on my side and managed to pull it off.
I hadn’t been trying to get pregnant… but I wasn’t doing anything to prevent it. I’d been married for several years and I was 29 years old. It would happen when it was time.
On January 13th I woke up a little before five am, as was my norm. And I peed on a stick. Not a usual occurrence. Positive. I woke up Jeremy, he said not to tell anyone. That we needed to be sure. We’d wait a little while, we’d test again.
And I went to to work.
It was shortly after 9 am when I caved. I burst in to my boss’ office, closed the door and told my secret. Even though it wasn’t totally necessary to do so I had the luxury of a blood test at my disposal and by 10:30 that morning I had called my husband and my parents and spilled the beans. I was pregnant.
January 13th. I don’t think I will have a baby with a birthday on January 13th. But that’s okay. Because I became a mother on January 13th, 2005. And I never looked back.
Excitement on the side 
I wasn’t on the OBX anymore when this news came about but I DO remember you calling me and telling me. I was due in just 6 weeks that day and was so excited for you and knew THEN that you would be an AWESOME mom. You have never let me down with you coolness. You and I have said many times that we have no idea why we are friends and why we clicked like we did but we are friends and really do like each other. I finally figured out why……..if you put us together, we as a whole would make up one rocking woman. You are the younger, wilder, hippie half and I am the (slightly) older, wiser (? not so sure about that one), down to earth/grounded one. Love ya Kel!!
So stinking sweet. And how cute is Ralph? I want to put him in my pocket!
My best friend used to call him the last member. His Members Only jacket was a constant. I miss Ralph. His commentary as he watched the world go by from his bar stool…
hearted of course.
Of course. :)
Awesome story, thanks for sharing.
Thanks for reading. :)