What were you thinking, having a baby at nearly 50? scolded my relatives over the phone.
Im 46. A month ago, I gave birth to twinsa boy named Oliver and a girl named Emily. Words cant capture what I feel when I look at them. Happiness, joy, tears, warmthits overwhelming.
Yet, neither my mother nor my sister came to the hospital when I was discharged. My husbands family ignored the birth, tooall because of our age.
I never planned for children, honestly. I was young, carefree, clubbing, dancingwhat more could a girl want? Cocktails, admirers, late nightspure bliss.
Then, at 22, I met Daniel. Handsome, bearded, glasses, the funniest jokes. Women flocked to him, but he chose me. It boosted my confidence. He had a flat, a car, a family businesshis parents owned clothing shops in town, making good money.
I thought Id found my prince. Daniel was my ticket to happiness. I dreamed of a wedding, a gorgeous dress, a honeymoon in Egypt.
But for him, it wasnt serious. I lived in his flat for a monththen he changed the locks while I was getting a manicure. All he said was, *Were from different worlds. Youre not the one.* Like I was a mismatched shoe!
The breakup shattered me. I lost two stone, looked like a ghost. My hair fell out; I wore wigs or hats. My health sufferedrapid weight loss affected my fertility. Surgeries, medications, herbal remediesnothing worked.
So, I focused on my career. I loved painting nails, so I trained as a manicurist. Clients flocked in, paying well. I took a mortgage on a small two-bed flat, saved for a car, and at 33, opened my own salon with a team of young girls.
Two years ago, I met James. He worked nearby, popped in to change a twenty-pound noteand I fell in love again. We moved in quickly, married, and dreamed of children.
But nothing happenedour age was against us. So I tried IVF. I prayed every night, *Please, let me be a mother.*
And God listened. I gave birth to two healthy babiesan easy delivery.
*Have you lost your mind? Having kids at your age? What were you thinking?* my mother hissed over the phone.
*Good grief, Ill be a grandmother soon, and youre having babies? Youre too old for this!* my sister snapped.
No one supported us. At the hospital, only James and a photographer waited. We took a few pictures and drove home.
The babies are a month old now. Neither my mother nor sister will visit. They say Ive shamed them*a mother at your age.*
But is it wrong to want a family? Is it such a sin?
Love doesnt count yearsit only multiplies them.
