Life Changing

Yesterday was a life-changing day.

My little brother (who is 9 years younger than me and definitely pee'd on me at least once while I was changing his diaper) was accepted into a very prestigious specialized program for one of the branches of our military.

He had endured months of preliminary interviews, hours of special studying for technical interviews, and tours of bases and vehicles, all culminating in a 3-hour official technical interview (yes, they give you problems, and you have to work them out right then while everyone is watching- SCARY!!) and an interview with the first in command of this particular program of this military branch.

Not exactly a walk in the park.

After the interview with the head honcho, little brother was led into the hallway, and 30 seconds later the assistant came out of the office and said, Congratulations, you're accepted.

And that's that. Starting yesterday and for the forseeable future (after he graduates from college in May), he will be associated with a select, well-respected group of people, and for the rest of his life, this amazing opportunity will enhance all of the rest of what he will do. His life will never be the same, and from all indications, this is definitely a game-changer in an incredibly good way.

My other sister and I drove up to have dinner with him, and as we were driving home, I was trying to wrap my head around the magnitude of how his life changed yesterday.

I realized what he experienced yesterday is exactly how I think finding out we are pregnant would be. We have endured months (to put it lightly) of tough questions, tours of surgical centers and waiting rooms, and finally after what will probably seem like the most scary trip to the bathroom ever, 3 minutes after taking a test, it will reach out and shake our hand and say, Congratulations, you're accepted. Because after you become a mom, you are associated with a select, well-respected group of people, and for the rest of your life, this amazing opportunity will enhance the rest of what you do. Your life will never be the same, and from all indications, motherhood is a game-changer in an incredibly good way.

It is almost impossible to even imagine all the ways that this is going to change his life. I hope and pray they are all good changes. And similarly, it is almost impossible to even imagine how becoming parents will change our lives. Will he miss his girlfriend when he is away for months? Probably, but it will be worth it when he comes home. Will we miss our quiet evenings? Probably, but it will be worth it when we get to rock our baby to sleep.