Category: Stories

A couple has willingly giving us permission to share their story so that others can realize there is hope in the midst of a difficult situation. All client experiences with Two Lines Pregnancy Clinic (formerly Advice & Aid Pregnancy Center) are kept with the highest confidence. The stories that are shared come from the real-life experiences that our clients, staff and volunteers had during their unplanned pregnancy.

Their names have been removed but their story is true.

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A change in plans
My wife and I found out we were pregnant at the wrong time. I was going through my Junior year in engineering school. I had been making all the right decisions and everything in my life seemed under my control. Or so I thought.

I had grown up in a very stable household, with two loving parents, five brothers and four sisters. We went to church every week and ate every meal together after praying. My wife’s background was good but not as ideal. Her parents were divorced and both remarried. She had only one sister and one half-brother.

I really enjoyed being around the girl who would become my wife and I wasn’t as concerned about her past as I was confident in our future. A year after we met, I asked her to marry me and she agreed. About two months later, she thought she might be pregnant. We went to a pregnancy clinic since they had free pregnancy tests. The test turned out to be positive. We could not believe it, so we ran a second test and it was positive again.

Our plan had been to graduate, get married and then have children. A pregnancy now was not in the plan. We decided to move the wedding up to the upcoming May and we began wedding preparation. At this time in her life, my wife felt things were spinning out of control. Prior to this pregnancy, I felt things were very much under control, but this was a huge blow to that thought. I was so naive to think everything in my life would go just as I planned.

A very negative response
We announced our news to our parents very quickly. Two of my brothers had been in the same situation and had decided not to tell mom and dad until eventually they found out from someone else. I didn’t want it to be that way. So, we told all of our parents. Really, none of them took it well but at least it was done and out in the open. Later our families were supportive and now it is like it was always part of the plan. After telling our families, I announced it to my entire fraternity during a chapter meeting. I didn’t want a bunch of gossip. My fraternity was very supportive.

My wife had decided not to tell her whole sorority but did tell a few. Really it wasn’t a secret since I had told my entire fraternity. She was called into the sorority’s “standards board.” They berated her and told her she was an embarrassment to the sorority. She was asked to leave the house and asked not to wear her sorority’s Greek letters. They didn’t want people to associate her situation with the sorority. So basically, her support system of a sorority abandoned her. Her closest friends in the sorority were supportive but this was only a few girls. I was outraged by this and called a meeting with the sorority president and adult advisor. This really did no good but at least they knew how I felt and it gave them something to think about.

My wife moved in with her Grandparents. They were great to her as they had been throughout her life. And they were great to me. Of course, Grandma was a great cook and I used any excuse to visit as I enjoyed their company, the wonderful cooking and eventually she would even do my laundry!

Pregnant and feeling very alone
We were married in May and a few days later, we moved to Michigan where I had a summer job. This was the first time my wife had been away from home for any significant time. My job was a 45-minute drive from where we lived. Then they gave me a great opportunity to work in a different department. But this made my drive 1 ½ hours, each way. I would leave in the morning at 5am and return about 4:30pm. This would leave my wife in a strange place, pregnant, and alone all day. This was very hard on her. God was working though, and it turned out she had second cousins living nearby. Fortunately, they contacted us. They were wonderful to us and especially my wife. They invited us to dinner and other activities. They took my wife to her doctor appointments and showed us much love. They didn’t even seem to mind when she threw up all over their car. This time was good for us to grow together and develop our own independence. If we had a disagreement, we had no choice but to work it out as our families were a ten-hour drive away.

After the summer was over, we moved back to Rolla, MO. I needed to finish my last semester in college, to graduate in December. My daughter was born in September. She was a wonderful baby, but we didn’t know what we were doing. Our lives changed drastically as all new parents find out. Luckily my wife’s grandparents lived close and were very helpful, teaching us how to care for a baby. I graduated, got an engineering job and our lives started. As an ironic turn of events, we later had fertility problems with our next two children.

…And now
That was over 20 years ago. Now my daughter is grown and married with one child, our GRANDSON! She graduated college with an engineering degree and her family is well on their way. Our decision to keep our daughter was hard but never in doubt. We did not seriously consider any other options but to keep her and raise her.

This pregnancy was not in our plan for our lives,
but sometimes the best things are that way.

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Sometimes life throws us a curve-ball and may cause us to change our plans. Change can be scary and lonely but it doesn’t have to be – having someone walk beside you through the change can bring confidence, peace, and even joy!

That’s what we are here for. When life turns out different than you planned, we are here to provide comfort, stability, and a listening ear. We will walk with you through the unplanned and be by your side every step of the way.

*Rebecca is willingly giving us permission to share her story so that others can realize there is hope in the midst of a difficult situation. All client experiences with Two Lines Pregnancy Clinic (formerly Advice & Aid Pregnancy Center) are kept with the highest confidence. The stories that are shared come from the real-life experiences that our clients, staff and volunteers had during their unplanned pregnancy.

*Her name has been changed but her story is true.

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Surprises are one of those things that some people love and others don’t. Well… I happen to be one who loves them. However, when I found out I was pregnant at 39 years old, I wasn’t so excited about this “surprise” in my life. Hi, my name is Rebecca, and this is my story.

As the mother of two teen children and the wife of a man with health issues, I certainly wasn’t expecting to get pregnant again at my “old age.” I simply couldn’t believe the pregnancy test was showing a positive result! The circumstances in my life were less than ideal for my husband and me to bring another child into this world. We had financial stress, no health insurance, we already had two teenage children, I was a working mother, and my husband couldn’t work. I was over 35 and therefore considered a high risk pregnancy.

I felt like an irresponsible woman and worried, at my age, what my mother would say. I worried too about what my close friends would say who knew so well my difficult struggles in life. I was embarrassed even to tell our children. What would they think of me?

And then I remembered a place called Two Lines Pregnancy Clinic (formerly Advice & Aid Pregnancy Center). I knew women there who struggled with what to do about their unplanned pregnancy. I remembered how I had heard stories of those who experienced abortion and how they struggled with so much pain afterwards, sometimes even 20 years later. I remembered the words I had often shared with them, as I sat across from their chair and heard them cry. You see, I work at Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid), and I, too, experienced an unplanned pregnancy.

An unplanned pregnancy does not discriminate. It can affect anyone. It doesn’t matter if you are married or single, young or old, this race or that, religious or not. It is unplanned and that can cause a lot of fear and cause us to think this situation is hopeless.

But I am here to tell you that the little surprise we have
is one of the best unplanned “things” in our family’s life!

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Read more stories of the men & women we have helped:
Bethany’s Story
Brian’s Story
Megan’s Story

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Do you see yourself in this story? Could you use a support – a family – like the one at Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid)?

No matter your exact situation, there are likely parts of this story that you can relate to. Unplanned? Bad timing? Financial struggles? The list of reasons that a pregnancy isn’t right can go on and on.

But we understand all of that, and can offer some real hope and solutions to these issues. Just stop . . . take a moment to breathe . . . and get the information you need to make the decision that is best for you, both the current-you and the future-you! With the right help on your side, you might just find life’s surprises can be sweet!

The writer of this story has willingly giving us permission to share her story so that others can realize there is hope in the midst of a difficult situation. All client experiences with Two Lines Pregnancy Clinic (formerly Advice & Aid Pregnancy Center) are kept with the highest confidence. The stories that are shared come from the real-life experiences that our clients, staff and volunteers had during their unplanned pregnancy.

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Not the Right Time . . . What Will My Parents Think?

I took three pregnancy tests before going to Two Lines Pregnancy Clinic (formerly Advice & Aid Pregnancy Center).

I was so scared because I didn’t know what would happen if I were to be pregnant. I was living in Saint Louis, while my boyfriend was still here in Kansas City. I was only supposed to be home for the summer. Even if long distance wasn’t an issue, there were still many other issues. We are both young. We can’t afford a child. We are both in college pursuing degrees. The worst of all was one question: What are my parents going to say? My parents are extremely strict and I was so nervous about how they would react if I were to be pregnant. I put all my worries aside and tried to take things one step at a time.

Taking it in Steps: First Step, Confirmation

Our first step would be to confirm the pregnancy. My boyfriend and I went to the Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) office in Overland Park to get a pregnancy test, where we met our Client Advocate, Tiffany. She was there with us while we started our crazy journey. She broke the news to us that I was indeed pregnant. She was there for us while we cried together, overwhelmed with emotions. This was my first experience with the Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) community.

Second Step: Help with a Plan

The next step for me was to make a plan of how I could still get my degree and raise a child. I was able to transfer schools so that I could stay in Kansas City. Eventually I was able to find a place to live with my boyfriend. We continued to go to meetings within the program.

We were able to get many things to prepare us for having a baby, thanks to the amazing donors.

We received a pack ‘n play, which we use all the time. We are also so grateful to receive many diapers and wipes each month. In addition to everything, we also were able to pick many clothing items for our new baby to wear.

Now a Family of 3: Blessed & Grateful

Our baby girl was born in early January and we were so blessed to have everything we needed for her. She has already grown so much and I have been able to return to the Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) Connections education program.

Not only did Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) provide the material things we needed to prepare for her, but it also gave us a good support system with people to talk to. I don’t know what we would have done if I hadn’t booked that appointment and met Tiffany last year!

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Does her story strike a chord in you?

You see, just because you are experiencing an unplanned pregnancy doesn’t mean that you don’t have choices. You do! And, like the young woman in the story above, you can choose to be strong, make it through, and experience a something beautifully unexpected.

And the real beauty is that you don’t have to do this alone!

Start with the easy step of scheduling an appointment. Come talk to us. No pressure, no judgment, no agenda. Here, you’ll simply find honesty, acceptance and a friend.

Jenny is  willingly giving us permission to share her story so that others can realize there is hope in the midst of a difficult situation. All client experiences with Two Lines Pregnancy Clinic (formerly Advice & Aid Pregnancy Center) are kept with the highest confidence. The stories that are shared come from the real-life experiences that our clients, staff and volunteers had during their unplanned pregnancy.

Her name has been changed but her story is true.

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Considering Adoption
My husband and I had been married five years and had a one-year-old daughter when we began to experience something “unplanned.” It wasn’t a pregnancy, but rather infertility. Over the course of the next few years, we would experience a lot of uncertainty about how—or even if—our family would grow.

It was just after Easter when we received a phone call that would change our lives. A lawyer who knew we had completed an adoption home study (the process anyone who wants to adopt has to undergo) called to say he knew a young woman experiencing unplanned pregnancy. He told her about us and she wanted to meet us. We were excited and nervous and hopeful and terrified all at the same time. He gave me her phone number and said she would like me to call her.

Meeting the Birth Mother
I called Alison the next day. From the moment I heard her voice, I knew I liked her. We spoke for about fifteen minutes that day and she shared about her unplanned pregnancy, the reasons she was leaning toward adoption and her hopes for her baby boy. I shared about our circumstances and why we were considering adoption and how we hoped to have an “open adoption”—meaning an adoption in which a relationship with the biological family is maintained and encouraged throughout the child’s life. Alison really wanted an open adoption too, which was one of the reasons why she thought we might be good candidates to raise her son.

We met face to face about a week later and our connection was easy and natural. Alison was about six months pregnant at that time and had been attending classes and receiving counseling at Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) for many months. She had been exploring all her options and had a great system of support through Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid).

It was evident to us how much she loved this baby boy. She was making all of her decisions based on his needs and her hopes for him—this was at a great cost to herself. Choosing not to parent her baby was an incredible sacrifice.

Yes, it would allow her to continue her life on the course she wanted, but it was still a gut-wrenching decision and one that she made primarily for her son’s sake.

A Sweet Relationship
Our relationship with Alison progressed and she soon introduced us to the birth father. Over the next couple of months, we all became more committed to one another and to adoption. Alison continued one-on-one sessions with a counselor who had placed a child with an adoptive family sixteen years before, and we also had a couple of sessions with that same counselor on navigating an open adoption. This was so helpful as we were able to process our fears and hopes together.

Resources We Needed – And So Much More
As the time of our son’s birth approached, Alison had earned a lot of “points” to use at the Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) new parent and baby store by not missing one class or counseling session at Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) her entire pregnancy! She decided to give our family most of her “points” that can be redeemed for new baby items like clothes, changing pads, even car seats. Alison and I went together and picked things out for our son…it was an incredibly special time. After we had shopped, the Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) staff pulled us aside so they could give Alison a gift basket just for her. It was filled with all sorts of things that she could pamper herself with—including spa and massage gift certificates! Many of the staff and volunteers at Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) had chipped in. Their support and encouragement was incredibly.

Our Son
Soon after that, our son was born. We were present for the delivery and stayed at the hospital the whole time. Alison, the birth father and the baby stayed together in the room next door and we went between our room and theirs and took the night shift the second night. While we were in the hospital together, Alison nursed the baby and for the next six weeks or so, she provided breast milk. It was just what he needed and such a loving gift. Over the next few months, we saw Alison about once a week and saw the birth father and his parents many times. And of course we had to introduce him to all his friends at Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid), too!

Our son will turn one this summer and our relationship with both Alison and the birth father is really strong. Alison is doing wonderfully and recently started a new job at a great company. The birth father lives out of town now, but we still see him fairly often, and we see Alison at least once a month and exchange texts and emails with both of them in between visits.

We are so delighted that our son has a connection to both sides of his biological family. As an adoptive mom, I love his biological family and will always speak positively about them. Whether an adoption is open or closed, any birth parent who chooses to place their child with an adoptive family is a hero. There are personal pros and cons to choosing not to parent, but ultimately, placing a child for adoption is a selfless act of love. I will always be grateful to his first mom and dad for the gift that they gave us and for the gift that they gave their son. He is growing up knowing that they placed him for adoption out of love and he will have the opportunity to continue to develop his own relationship with both of them as he grows. There will never be a day that he does not know how much they love him or how much we love him—our son is truly surrounded by love on all sides!

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If you, or someone you know, is facing an unplanned pregnancy, we want you to know that you are not alone as you make choices for both you and your baby. The idea of adoption can be overwhelming. We are here to help.

While Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) does not handle adoptions personally, we do partner with a number of licensed, fully trusted adoption agencies in our area. We can help you walk through the entire process with one of these recommended agencies so that you are not alone.

Start here – no judgment, no pressure at all. Just someone to talk to who has some truly helpful answers. Someone who wants whats best for you!

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To read an additional adoption story:
Michelle’s Open Adoption Story

Choice. It’s the key word in this giant debate that we have. When it comes to an unplanned pregnancy, the choice should be up to the woman.

And we agree with that – that your choice should never be forced upon you. But we also think that each woman should know all of her options – and the good and bad of each of those options – before she makes her choice.

This amazing lady has willingly given us permission to share her story so that others can realize there is hope in the midst of a difficult situation. All client experiences with Two Lines Pregnancy Clinic (formerly Advice & Aid Pregnancy Center) are kept with the highest confidence. The stories that are shared come from the real-life experiences that our clients, staff and volunteers had during their unplanned pregnancy.

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One big decision in six little words
“We’d like to schedule an abortion.” Six words that changed my life forever. These were not words that I said, although it was my child whose life was ended. These were not words from my parents or even the child’s father… 

I was 17 and in love. I had a “pre-engagement” ring and was going on a day trip to meet my boyfriend’s parents and see his new apartment. It was nowhere on my radar that we would be having sex for the first (and only) time that afternoon… but that’s the direction that “seeing his apartment” took. On the way home I felt happy because now I knew that he really did love me! Except he didn’t. I never heard from him again.  

It didn’t cross my mind that I could be pregnant until a couple months went by and I realized that I hadn’t had a period. It couldn’t be. But, if it was, I had to solve this problem without my parent’s help (they would kill me) or the father’s help (he had gotten back together with an old girlfriend and never knew I was pregnant). I told a co-worker about my worry and he said he knew someplace we could go for help. He drove me to the clinic where they gave me a pregnancy test. When they said it was positive, my friend said those awful words – “We’d like to schedule an abortion.”  

That was it. No discussion. Problem would soon be solved.  

Appointment made. Appointment kept. Problem solved. Except it wasn’t.  

In Retrospect – Blessing or Regret?
As I approach yet another anniversary of that day, I know things now that the scared 17-year-old “me” didn’t. 

I know that my parents would not have killed me; whatever their reaction, I could have survived. I know now that my Mom had become pregnant at 19 herself – the baby was adopted, and I have a wonderful half-sister that I met 13 years ago. Blessing #1.

I know that abortion can cause infertility. How do I know? It happened to me. My baby, “bone of my bone, flesh of my flesh” was NEVER to happen again. Ever. Regret #1.

I know that my baby could have been the biggest blessing ever experienced in the lives of a married couple who weren’t able to conceive. My baby would have been an answer to prayer. How do I know? It happened to me. After years of infertility my husband and I did foster care and were soon told that a baby girl had been born who needed a “forever family.” We were able to give their baby a chance. Blessing #2.

That beautiful baby girl is now in nursing school and is the sunshine of my life along with her (also adopted) brother. Yes, my baby too could have been some couple’s biggest blessing; he just never had that chance. Regret #2.

If you are facing the scary situation of being pregnant, learn from my experience – give your baby a chance.  Please.

The three choices you have – to parent, to abort or to make an adoption plan – all have consequences; consider them carefully and don’t let anyone else make that decision for you because you will have to live with it forever.

Blessing or regret. It’s your choice.

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Here at Two Lines Pregnancy Clinic (formerly Advice & Aid Pregnancy Center), we will never force you to make a choice you don’t want to make – we will only offer you the facts, love, and support you need. Making a decision this big is scary, but you don’t have to do it alone.

Come find hope, healing, and empowerment here by setting up an appointment – it just might be the biggest blessing you ever experience!

*Cheryl is willingly giving us permission to share her story so that others can realize there is hope in the midst of a difficult situation. All client experiences with Two Lines Pregnancy Clinic (formerly Advice & Aid Pregnancy Center) are kept with the highest confidence. The stories that are shared come from the real-life experiences that our clients, staff and volunteers had during their unplanned pregnancy.

*Her name has been changed but her story is true.

It was a March day years ago that I found out I was pregnant.

Who knew that one day could change your life forever?

During a lunch break, I decided to go to Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid). I took a test confirming, yes … PREGNANT! I had so many mixed emotions; however, scared was the one that stood out. After returning to work that evening I kept thinking, “What should I do?”

Days went by and, thinking the worst, I found myself in front of an abortion clinic. I could not even get out of the car. I sat there and began to think of how good God had been to me. I also thanked Him for the blessing he had given me, my child. I begin to cry. Of course, tears of joy, with hope and faith that everything would be alright.

I went back to Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid). All I could remember was the staff was so welcoming and thoughtful. It was like a sense of belonging. They were compassionate and gave me the feeling everything would be alright. That day I signed up for the classes and group sessions where I was able to learn so much. It prepared me to become the best mom I could be.

In December of that year, I welcomed a healthy baby boy. Through the programs at Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid), I was well-prepared for him to come home and start this journey as a mother. I was blessed with everything I needed: diapers, bottles, wipes, formula, and so much more. It came at a time I needed transportation and, through a donor, Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) was able to bless me with a car.  Yes, a car! It allowed me to get to work and provide for my family.

I continued with classes even after my son was here. I gained more knowledge about parenting even after pregnancy. I still to this day cherish the friendships that were born through this time.

I found Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) by accident and never thought how much it would change my life. As I look back, I’m so grateful we found each other. Today I am a Cosmetologist/Hair-Loss Practitioner with a salon in Shawnee, Kansas. I married the love of my life and my son is now a teenager. We later welcomed two additional beautiful children to our family.  

I choose to spend every day sharing the love that I have been a recipient of!

Cheryl’s story is all about #ReThinking . . .
At first, she simply couldn’t even think about being a mom. The timing was all wrong, and there were a million reasons why she felt she couldn’t continue this pregnancy. But, by taking her time, thinking it through, and daring to rethink a life that was different than what she had planned, she reached a completely different conclusion.

And that’s why we encourage you to ReThink – your future may be different than you had planned, but it may be so very much better.

And as Cheryl’s story shows, she really didn’t have to do any of this alone. She got the help she needed – for as long as she needed it – right here with us!

Take the first step. Just start the conversation with us. We guarantee no judgment, no pressure. Just honest answers and someone who promises to walk with you through every step of the journey.