Category: Stories

Angie* 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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Choosing Abortion
When I was growing up, we were taught it is a sin to have sex before we are married. While this may or may not be true, the way it was taught to me was psychologically damaging.

When I got pregnant the first time at age 20 it was a very scary thing for me. I knew I did not want to be a mother and I did not want to have a baby. My life was a mess and I didn’t want to reproduce anything like me. Not only that, but what would my parents do? I would surely have to find somewhere else to live. I was scared. I didn’t have anyone I trusted enough to really talk to about it, and if I just undid it who was really going to know unless I told them? I went to an abortion clinic and I had an abortion. No one told me about the emotional pain or damage it would cause, but I was damaged anyway so what did it even matter to cause a little more? That was my thought afterward. Art allowed me to process. My life moved on and not in a better direction…

Pregnant Again: Not a Good Thing!
Fast forward three years, I found myself in the same predicament, but with a different set of circumstances. My life was probably even more of a mess at this point. I had lost my nannying job. I was no longer in school studying film and acting. I wasn’t taking dance anymore. I was in an extremely dangerous and toxic relationship with a man seven years older than me. I was living at home, constantly walking on eggshells. I was lying to people in my life and covering for others. I was lying to myself and denying anything about my truth. I was ignoring God on all possible levels. I was so far from my walk with Jesus that even though I knew He was always there, I continued to give Him the middle finger as I lived my life the way I wanted to. It was about me. I had zero respect for my body and what I put into it.

The day was March 13, 2010. I was admitted to the ER after taking a blow to the face a few hours earlier. They needed to do a CT of my face to make sure nothing was broken, but they must do a urine analysis first. The Dr. came in and told me he had some test results that I might want him to share with me in private. He glanced at my mom who was sitting in the corner. She was already pretty upset with me for lying to her again and I thought, “Big deal if she knows. He’s either going to tell me I have THC in my system, or my alcohol levels are extremely high.” I told him my mother could stay; but nothing could have prepared me for what came out of his mouth next… “Your test results came back positive for pregnancy. Were you aware you are pregnant?” I looked at him and then at my mom. “There is no way! I take birth control regularly! I have for three years! I cannot be pregnant! Is there another test you can run?!” I was panicked. He said they could run a blood test, which they did. I was indeed pregnant. I can still remember the stunned silent look on my mother’s face. When she finally did speak all she could say was, “You are not having an abortion. We support life in this family.” Oh, if she only knew… But she wouldn’t learn the truth until several years later when I would be fighting for my right as a mother not of one, but two boys…

When we left the hospital, I remember feeling more alone than I had ever felt in my life. I had always struggled with suicide and depression and now I was carrying a life inside me and I couldn’t just do what I had before. Nope, I had to face this one. I had choices I needed to make, and I needed to figure it out. What kind of mother was I even going to make?

The Father Putting Pressure on Me to Choose Abortion
When I finally told the father, it only caused more problems. The things he said to me haunted me for years.:
How could I do this to him?
Why didn’t I just go have an abortion like I did last time?
I was already a murder.
Why was this time different?
Since when did I care what my parents thought?
I was an adult and I could make my own choices…

Yes, I was an adult, and I was choosing to keep this baby. I wasn’t trying to trap anyone, but I did not want to go through the emotional torment of another abortion (the first one still haunted me) and I knew myself well enough to know that I wouldn’t be able to place any child of mine for adoption.

A Place of Real Help
A lady from the church I attended told me about the Two Lines Pregnancy Clinic (formerly Advice & Aid Pregnancy Center). I called and made an appointment. The moment I walked into Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid), I knew my baby was loved. They did a free pregnancy test and sonogram for me. They told me about their Journey’s pregnancy education classes and that even though I might feel hopeless in that moment of my life and scared, they were there to offer me as much hope and love as possible.

I took classes through their Journey’s program throughout my pregnancy. I earned points to be able to purchase things for my baby from their store filled with new baby items provided through donations.

Birth: I Really Could Do This With the Right Help By My Side
My advocate encouraged, educated, and showered me with the light and love of Jesus as I grew my baby boy. I always felt loved and safe when I was at Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid). I could talk about my relationship with my baby’s dad and they didn’t judge me. I remember so many times I would feel miserable and alone and I would get to Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) to learn about what week of pregnancy I was in and I just felt warm and safe and at peace. My baby boy was born on a beautiful fall day in November, 2010. He was born in the water, with wonderful midwives chosen from a connection Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) had provided. My baby had everything he needed when he arrived. I had more confidence in my choice to become a mother. I started the Bridges parenting support class at Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) after my son was born.

I loved Bridges. It was a time I could talk with other mothers who had unexpected life changes too. The Bridges staff would feed us and encourage, educate and love us. They introduced us to wonderful speakers such as lawyers who answered our questions about custody or court, and therapists who helped us understand boundaries and raising children in a healthy and safe environment. The more I grew, the more I knew I needed to get away from my son’s dad.

Having to Get Out of an Abusive Relationship
I was scared though. How do you get out of an abusive relationship successfully and alive? So many people thought he had a right to be in my son’s life, yet they didn’t know what kind of person he really was. On top of that, I had been taught incorrectly about sex, forgiveness, and grace my entire life, and now this man thought he owned my body because he played a role in making my son. His family pushed for marriage at first because it was the “right thing to do.” But I knew he did not love me and I wouldn’t be married to someone who wanted to own me. I tried to allow him visitation and even gave him a chance to show me why we should be a family.

The cycles just kept repeating; each time a little worse than the last. It was like this before my son was born, it wasn’t going to change after. Why would he become less abusive? He thought my body was his property. My son wasn’t even 9 months old when it happened and changed my life even more.

This would be my third pregnancy and I had already determined to keep my baby, even though I was shocked to find out and I felt sick about how it happened. The day I found out, I remember wanting to pack up my baby and run, but where would I go? No, I would face this head on this time. Things weren’t good in any way. The only peace or glimmer of hope I found through that 9 months was Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) and Bridges group. It was the scariest time of my life. I endured a great deal of emotional, physical, sexual, and mental abuse from the boy’s father. This was the norm for me. It was slowly becoming the norm for my son. I used to sit in therapy sessions with a therapist that was introduced to me by Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid), and tell her about the things my son’s dad would say to me. I was scared he was going to kill me. She told me I needed to get out; that he would likely kill me if I didn’t.

Another Birth: And a Miracle for Me to Leave the Father
My second son was born at 37 weeks in April of 2012. Things continued to get worse with the father, who I was then living with because I felt I had nowhere else to go. The women at Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) kept praying with me and encouraging me to have hope. They helped me put a safety plan into place and continued to help me search for resources.

In September of 2012 Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) introduced me to supporters of their organization who had an apartment for me to rent. This was an answer to prayers that was long awaited. I moved in with my boys that Fall. Over the next seven years I rehabilitated my life in that apartment. I fought for my boys in court and won. I have had them for 3 years now. Though we no longer have contact with the dad, the long term effects of the abuse are still there. Healing takes time and every day gets better and we heal a little more.

Where I am Today: A Good Place
I went back to school and became a licensed massage therapist with a specialty in trauma and certified trauma informed yoga instructor. I have been practicing for 3 years now. My relationship with Jesus is stronger than it has ever been, and He continues to show me more each day who I am in Him and the incredible mother He intended for me to be. He gives me the courage daily to stand in my truth and shows me what unconditional real love is.

I wouldn’t be here today without Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) and all the beautiful people God placed in my life through them. I don’t believe in coincidences. I totally trust in the Lord and believe He has a plan for every life.

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The one theme in Angie’s story is that she continually found the hope, education, strength and resources she needed at Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid).

And while we can’t keep the bad from happening to you, we CAN be here to comfort, educated, guide and help every step of the way.

No matter where you are in your story, reach out to us. We’re here for you!

Melissa* 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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Abortion Felt Like My Only Choice
I had my first abortion when I was 20. I was a pastor’s daughter, a missionary kid and attending a private Christian college at the time. I knew better than to even consider such a thing. I couldn’t, however, let my choice ruin my family’s global reputation. I couldn’t let people find out how many bad decisions I actually made! My fiancé and I couldn’t get kicked out of school! He couldn’t get kicked off the baseball team for his senior year! We weren’t going to be married for several months, so it was just not the time for this big of a mistake. We both agreed to abort. We vowed never to talk about it after that summer. And we really never did. It was just our dirty little secret. And it would simply stay that way. We agreed we wouldn’t let it ruin our lives.

I had no idea how wrong we were.

We had a son 4 years later. Everything was fine, until it just wasn’t anymore after our son’s first birthday. We couldn’t explain why our marriage was failing. I ended up having an affair. It was the beginning of a downward spiral for me. Professionally. Emotionally. Spiritually. But no one really knew why. I didn’t even really know why. I got married again right away. Neither one of us were faithful to each other. I filed for divorce after one year. And ended up pregnant after a one-night stand. 

A Real Family Life . . . for Awhile
This time, however, I was already a mother. I knew I couldn’t abort this baby after seeing my son born. I decided to let this baby be my offering to God as penance for my previous choices. I put a lot of pressure on that pregnancy to fix my past transgressions. After all, I was choosing life this time. How could God not bless me for my bravery? I had a lonely 30th birthday as news of my unplanned pregnancy to a man I didn’t even know anything about brought to the surface many things about my secret life which I had hidden from my family for all those years. Bad decisions. Alcohol abuse. Affairs. My first abortion. The truth had come out, but it certainly didn’t set me free. I was determined to right my wrongs, and this baby would do it. I gave birth to my daughter in the summer. She really did seem to melt the hurt and the pain in all of us and I poured myself into being the wife and mother I just knew I was capable of so my family could really be proud of me for real.

Horrendous Abuse
Then the relationship with her dad became more and more volatile. The emotional abuse that I was so used to became more physical. I clung to the hopes that Jesus would heal his anger and deceit. But I was sure that I deserved this abuse for my life choices and had faith that the Lord would put an end to it once I had paid enough. After all… I had two beautiful children I already didn’t deserve, so the price had to paid somehow. We got married. Surely that would fix things. It didn’t. He became so abusive that I finally made him leave after two years and filed for divorce. He stalked me. He terrorized me. Next came the restraining orders. And the night he showed up late at my door asking to come in and apologize. And I let him in. 

When I didn’t accept his apology as a reason to save the marriage, he raped me. It took me a long time to call it that, but that’s exactly what it was. He emotionally, physically and sexually assaulted me that night. When he was leaving, he yelled in my face that he hoped I was pregnant. I knew God wouldn’t let that happen. I was sure that God would honor my faithfulness to a man who had treated me so poorly by not adding more chaos to my already crazy situation. So when I realized that I was indeed pregnant four weeks later, I felt betrayed by God and everyone else who had ever tried to help me ‘have faith.’ At this point, I wanted to hurt anyone and everyone I could. I lied and told a man I had been seeing that he had gotten me pregnant so that he would pay for the Abortion Pill. No one could know I had been dumb enough to let my crazy estranged husband in the house! It would ruin my divorce proceedings and further humiliate me and possibly jeopardize my custody battle. I knew what I had to do. 

My Choice . . . a 2^nd Abortion
My second abortion was at 6 weeks and was the worst experience of my entire life. The disgust I felt as I took the second pill. The hatred I had for God and Him leaving me in this mess. The horrible pain and physical suffering that my body endured as my baby was aborted into my toilet. I knew I was now the absolute wretch of the earth, but I would NOT allow the monster I had married to control my life any longer. I had been so close to breaking free; I couldn’t allow his treachery to be rewarded by another child to own me with! I felt I had escaped him. Finally, he would lose his grip on my life. But I was wrong.  Finding a Shaky Peace
He actually tried to kill me the following week. He broke into my house to tell me about a prayer retreat he had been on with my father and how he was changing. When I didn’t give him the response he wanted and mentioned calling the police, he proceeded to throw me to the ground and try to choke the life out of me. As I struggled under his weight, I just remember calling out to Jesus. Either in my mind or through the gasps for air… I just remember calling Him to save me. To save my babies. And suddenly the hands were no longer around my neck. After a call to my parents, a trip to the ER, a visit by the police, and then a year or more of horrible court proceedings and finally seeing some justice served, life seemed to settle down. I had survived. My kids and I were ok, despite life’s wild, exciting peaks and it’s low, dark valleys and the consequences that fall on you from previous decisions that you didn’t ever see coming. I was feeling, perhaps, restored.

Still Something Missing in My Life
But I wasn’t fully restored because I still had unresolved pain and some leftover guilt. I was actually just surviving. And even though life kept getting better and better, I’m sure I wasn’t living at my full potential. I had been in all the counseling. Therapists were on speed dial for both me and my children. My bad decisions were no longer an issue in my life, but I wasn’t whole. I finally understood the comfort in praying and then listening to Jesus… experiencing Him on a whole new level. He helped me understand that He wasn’t making me pay for my sins when bad things happened to me, but rather I had been keeping myself trapped in my own shame and guilt. My life was finally feeling fresh and new. I remarried and was deeply in love. We were healthy in all the right ways. I had another baby. I had dealt with the anger and the hurt and the ugly and I was feeling stronger than ever before. I’d even helped friends choose life and escape abusive situations. I was using the hurts I had experienced to help others understand Grace. I was happy and I was at peace. Then God told me to volunteer at Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid) and I received the missing puzzle piece to my healing journey that I didn’t even know I needed!

Awakenings . . . The Very Things I Needed to Be Whole Again
In order to become a volunteer, I had to take a Bible study/class because I was post-abortive. I didn’t really think much of it and agreed to take part because it was a step in the process and I was being obedient to what God had asked me to do. The Awakenings program was absolutely amazing for me and one of the treasures that I will forever carry in my heart. Kelly and her team made me feel like I had arrived to a destination I’d always needed to be at but didn’t know existed. Here was a small group of ladies who understood the life-long repercussions of having an abortion and what post abortion syndrome looked like when you look into the mirror every day. I found everything here: the sharing. . . the learning . . . the laughing . . . the healing . . . the crying. Yes, even the “dumb” craft project we did was life changing and affirming for me. God showed me my Heavenly babies in my mind’s eye. He allowed me to understand that they were waiting for me in Glory, were already with my loved ones who had passed, and would continue to greet our family members as they eventually find their way to eternity with Jesus. Such Hope was given to me during that study! I found my babies names in my heart and was able to share them with my oldest son and my daughter. We were able to have healthy, healing dialogue between us as I asked their forgiveness for what I had done to their siblings. Through scripture and relationship in the Awakenings study, I was once again reminded how forgiven I am. How loved I am by God Himself. How life isn’t meant to be a solo journey and we aren’t supposed to bear our hardships on our own. How my mistakes and poor choices didn’t have to control my life but that He had plans for me and my children that would bring Him glory and give Him the credit He so rightly deserved. I made friendships that I am so grateful for. Prayer partners and women who just “get me” in a way no other people in my life really do. God showed me true and complete redemption, which is only His to give and I didn’t even need to earn. He met us all in that room like a proud Father each week.  Besides, anyone who has ever had the privilege of having Kelly pray for them right where they stand, knows the presence of God being in the room that I am talking about.

I, of course, still have things to learn as God isn’t finished with me yet. I still have days where I feel inadequate and frustrated. But what I will never feel again is shame, praise Jesus! I am so thankful for my life journey, rocky as it has been at times. And even though my 20-year-old self wouldn’t even recognize my 40-something self, one thing they could both agree on is that life is better when lived in truth.

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Maybe you see yourself in a part of Melissa’s story. Feeling like abortion was her only choice . . . struggling to maintain a healthy relationship . . . the feeling that something is “off” after an abortion.

We understand all of that (and more). And we offer answers, help and healing at any stage you might find yourself.

But you have to take the first step and reach out to us. We are here with help . . . you just need to ask!

November is National Adoption Month, and I just want to give a word of encouragement to all the adoptive moms out there. We talk a lot about birth moms being brave, but YOU are brave too! You are brave when you make the decision to adopt. You are brave when you travel halfway around the world, or just around the corner to bring your baby home. You are brave every time you take your child to another doctor or specialist appointment. You are brave when you get those phone calls from the school. You are brave when you seek counseling for yourself because maybe you don’t know how to handle all the emotions that go with adoption. You are brave every time your child asks about their birth mom and you are there with open heart and arms to love them and answer the questions the best you can. You are brave when you admit you don’t have all the answers. You are BRAVE!

Remember through all the excitement that surrounds adoption this month, no matter how you feel at this moment, you are making a brave choice every day. Over and over in Psalms, David talks about how the Lord is his strength. Our prayer for you is that on the days when doubt and heartache seem overwhelming, you will remember where your true strength comes from and continue to be brave.

Here at Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid), our commitment to caring for a woman – the whole woman, no matter what stage of life she may be in, or what her choices are – is what drives us to do what we do every day. And as we spend a little extra time this month thinking about adoption, we want you to know that for all of those moms out there who have chosen this difficult path – whether from the side of choosing it for their baby, or from those who have chosen to love an adopted child as their own flesh and blood – we support you.

And since our goal is to support and care for women, we are also here for you. If you find yourself needing some extra reassurance, help or just a listening ear, reach out to us. We are here for you in this overwhelmingly brave life that you are living every day!

Jonathan has willingly giving us permission to share his adoption 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.

His name has been changed but his story is true.

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I was blessed to be adopted at the age of five days old by two loving parents.
But I also want to give thanks to the young lady that chose to give me life.

That is the starting of my obituary that I have had written out for years and have put away with my pre-arrangements. Although, as you read the rest of my story, you’ll see that my obituary has changed now.                                                     

A Wonderful Childhood

I knew I was special when my mother sat me down before I went to kindergarten. She said, “I just wanted to let you know that you did not come out of my stomach. Another young lady had you and could not take care of you, so she gave you to us so we could take care of you. That means you are special!” My mother was not always the most eloquent in how she chose her words, but on that day, she got an A+.

Throughout my lifetime, I was never treated any different than my sister. I had always felt the same love from my Mom and Dad that she did. Throughout childhood and going into young adulthood, I always felt blessed by the lady that chose to give me life. What a sacrifice she made to give me up to someone that could to take care of me! I knew God did create me and I did have a purpose in this world. However, I never had any desire to seek out my birth mother because I felt that I had such wonderful parents. I didn’t want to make them feel that they did not do a good enough job somehow

Beginning to Help Others

At age 47 I went through one of the biggest trials in my life: a divorce. For me, it was worse than going through a death. You soon find out with difficult trials in your life that you’re either going to pull God closer to you or push him away. I thankfully chose to pull him closer, and soon after, I felt God tugging on my heartstrings to defend his precious unborn children. I even had the privilege of helping one young mother decide that she could continue with her pregnancy!

During that time in my life that I was helping volunteer at a pregnancy resource center, I felt God telling me that the young lady who chose to give me life just needed to hear me say, “Thanks for your sacrifice. You did the right thing. I had wonderful parents and you didn’t need to worry.”  Within weeks, I called the state department of Illinois, putting in my name to contact my birth mother. After eight years, the laws had changed, and my case ended up in the hands of Emily, who worked with an agency that looks up birth mothers for free.

Finding My Birth Family – A Rocky Road

She first found my birth mother and sent her a letter, followed up by a phone conversation. However, my birth mother didn’t feel she could make contact right then. I asked Emily if she had let her know I wanted to have contact to simply thank her for giving me life, for her sacrifice and that I had wonderful parents. Emily had done just that said that my birth mother was very grateful. I was glad that I had the chance to get that message to her.                       

Emily then went on to find my birth father, who had passed away, but I was able to meet my two half-sisters. I have been blessed to stay in contact with one of them. They were able to look up my birth mother, and let me know that she had recently lost her mother, her mother-in-law and her husband, all within 2 months’ time. That would explain why she was not ready to have contact with me when Emily reached out to her.

A year later, I was surprised with a phone call from Emily saying my birth mother was ready to meet now. I made a trip to Wisconsin where her youngest son picked me up and we were able to talk for a few hours before I met her. What a glorious occasion just to wrap my arms around her and thank her! I was able to spend a couple of days talking about our lives. Within weeks after leaving, her son called to tell me that she had taken a turn for the worse, and had gone into assisted living. He told me that they had always thought there was something bothering her, but after I had met her, she seemed to finally be at ease. The next year, I received the call that my mother had passed away. I wanted to attend the funeral, but only if both sides of the family were at ease with that decision. My brother assured me that I was family, and even offered to pay, on behalf of our mother, for a luxury suite for my stay. I told him that she had already done the most important thing for me . . . she gave me life!

Honoring two BRAVE Mothers

I am so grateful that I had time to meet my birth mother and thank her. I have half-brothers and a half-sister who have stayed in contact with me. Three months after losing my birth mother, I lost my mother. She chose for years to show her love and care for me by protecting me the best she knew how, and I wouldn’t have it any other way!

I am so blessed . . . my mother chose to give me life!

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At it’s core, this story is about the bravery of two women . . . one a birth mother, one an adoptive mother. Both women stepped out of their comfort zones, chose a little bit harder path, and in the end, were rewarded with tremendous blessings.

Neither of these women would have told you it was an easy path. But for Jonathan, who is living a full life and making an impact for good on those around him, their bravery has meant everything. And through him, in a way, they are touching those many lives that he is touching. Their legacy and memory lives on.

If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy and wondering if you have the strength to actually go through with this and choose adoption, take heart. Your story, although maybe not where you planned for it to be, is being written now and can have a long, lasting and very beautiful end.

You are braver than you know!

Need some help with this decision? We can walk along beside you, ensuring you are never alone in this process!

Brooke* 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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Life Growing Up: Both Sweet and Bitter

I came from a middle-class, military family; the only girl growing up with three older brothers. Because of this, I feel I learned at an early age what having a little tenacity was all about! Although, my brothers and I were products of two loving, caring, and supportive parents, who loved, cared for and supported their kids, this love didn’t go over so well in their own relationship. As a result, my brother’s and I found ourselves as kids living without our loving parents as preteens and teenager’s moving into adulthood, which happens to be one of the most critical times of our lives!

Both my dad and mom passed away very young, leaving my brothers and me to go live with our Grandmother. Having lost my father at the age of 11 years old, I believe subconsciously I was searching for that father-figure love that I once knew. Being the only girl, and youngest of three boys in the family, I was totally spoiled rotten and was definitely “Daddy’s Little Girl.” After he passed away, I was considered everyone’s “Little Girl,” as the family was so happy that my mom had finally had the baby girl that everyone had been praying and waiting for!  And in all fairness, I thank GOD for providing me with certain family members who stepped up to complete the job that my parents had started. Although, I received lots of love and nurture growing up, it didn’t keep me from becoming a mom at only 16-years old.

Pregnant at 16: A Decision to Make

I remember clearly the day it dawned on me that I could be pregnant. My first thought was, “What did I just do to myself, my life, and my mother? She is going to kill me if she finds out I am pregnant!” I called my son’s dad and told him the news and his response was, “I can’t have a baby now!” He told me that I needed to get an abortion and that he would pay for it. I knew at the time I was too young to be a mother and truthfully, I remained neutral about make a solid decision. I thought that if he came up with the money, I would think about it; and if he didn’t, then I would just keep my baby. The funny thing about my situation is that I knew eventually I would have to face the music. I knew, though, that my mother loved me enough to forgive me and that she would eventually get over it. 

Finally, three months had gone by and I had not heard from my son’s dad so I decided to keep my baby. I would let my mom find out when the baby is born, and that is exactly what happened!  I was able to hide my pregnancy up until 7 ½ months, until my son was born prematurely and I had to be rushed to the hospital.

A New Baby: My Mother’s Reaction

When my mother found out that I had delivered a baby boy, she was not happy to say the least! She had even suggested that I give my son up for an adoption, as she was so upset. Her very words were, “Your life will be altered forever now!”    But, since my son was a preemie baby and had to stay in the incubator for a while, it gave my mother time to adjust and calm down to this new addition to our family.  She actually adjusted to having a grandson quickly and gave my son his middle name. She even babysat while I went back to school or to give me a break. However, the sad thing about this story is that my mother only had five months to enjoy time with her beautiful grandson. She passed away on the exact day he turned five months old.

Because of the example of love and support of my mother, I was able to show love and care for my child. Her demonstration to me of how to be a good mother is why I didn’t just jump to give in to my fears and have an abortion.  I truly realized now, that GOD was in the decision the whole time – watching and orchestrating the events of my life, especially when I messed up!

Life Today: No Regrets

My son is all grown up now and tells me how he is grateful and thankful that GOD stepped into the picture. Back then, I really didn’t understand the consequences of having an abortion and the guilt that follows! I, too, look to the heavens and say “Thank you, Lord!”

So, if you are dealing with an unplanned pregnancy and thinking about having an abortion, I ask and challenge you to think twice! Why? Because I have listened to many relatives and friends tell their stories of regret, now years later wishing they had not made that decision to abort their unborn child.

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Do you see yourself in this story? Maybe you have a fear of telling your parents. Maybe the biggest fear is just not knowing how to walk this road ahead of you.

No matter your exact situation, there are likely parts of this story that you can relate to. Too young? 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!

Megan 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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My name is Megan.
This is my story of finding help & hope.

Pregnant at 19 – Needing Someplace to Turn
Being nineteen, I thought “it wouldn’t happen to me.” Well it did. I got pregnant and became a single mother as soon as we found out. Living in my mom’s basement, I had no idea what direction to go or what the next step was. During the first couple weeks of my pregnancy, I was trying to find some sort of support group, or guidance counselor. That’s when I came across Two Lines Pregnancy Clinic (formerly Advice & Aid Pregnancy Center). I decided to give them a call, and set up an appointment.

Someone to Help & Support
My entire pregnancy, I met with my client advocate and by the end of my pregnancy, I felt more confident in my ability to parent. My client advocate was there to discuss and support all concerns I had whether they were about being a single mother or first-time parenting anxiety. She also gave me resources about how to take care of my baby, things to buy, and being healthy during my pregnancy. After having much success with the Journeys Program, I decided to do the Bridges Parenting Support group. The Bridges program has been a huge help with all the information, food, and special gifts they have provided me. Each one of the volunteers cares and is so passionate about the ideology behind Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid). I look forward to going every week and learning about different topics such as my daughter’s development, how to coupon, or meal nights!

With the support of Two Lines (formerly Advice & Aid), I am now on track to get a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, and am so thankful that they have empowered me to become the responsible person and parent that I am today.

Being a parent is challenging,
and being a single mother can be even more challenging.
You will have breaking points.
But if you reach out to all the resources available to you,
you can find the help and hope you need.

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Additional client stories of getting the help they so desperately needed:
Bethany’s Story
Brian’s Story

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If you are going through a similar experience to Megan, you might have seen yourself a bit in her story. Megan found a place to belong. A place that offered her real help, options, answers and support – she simply had to show up. And that help lasted for as long as she needed it to, not just for the immediate crisis.

Here, she found the things she needed most.

Take your first step today towards taking back control of your situation. Make an appointment with us. No pressure, no agenda – simply information, an understanding friend, help (both emotional and physical) and hope!