Sunday, January 20, 2008

A Year of Promise

After spending Christmas with my boy's family, we had to part ways for the New Year, to my chagrin... It was the second year in a row like this, and I would certainly have preferred for things to be otherwise, but unfortunately my boyfriend's job doesn't allow for him to travel as easily at this time of year, whereas my office literally shuts down over the holidays. So it's the perfect opportunity for me to visit my family in the U.S.

So we spent the end of 2007 and the beginning of 2008 separated by the Atlantic, but at the same time I knew we were together in spirit, especially since he's the first to encourage me to spend as much time as possible with my family. Of course he would have loved to join me as well, but I think that in the end it was probably for the best this time around, as it was a bit of an emotional trip (to say the least!).

It would be an understatement to say that the last two years have brought us a few challenges and painful moments -- after settling into our life together in 2005, with some wonderful weekend trips to Rome and several undiscovered sites in France, 2006 hit us hard when my boyfriend's mother passed away unexpectedly in May of that year. He is still working on recovering from that shock, and I know that only time can help him in healing. Then our apartment was broken into, and we worked on picking up the pieces and remaining optimistic for the future. We were convinced that 2007 would be better, but when he had his heart attack in April, I didn't even know where to begin to look for hope nor how to understand the reasons behind these painful blows. Of course, these past two years have also brought us many wonderful moments, including our unforgettable trip to Spain last March and summer holidays spent in Noirmoutier. Trust me, I'm not complaining -- I know we have been blessed in many ways. But I couldn't help but wonder when the wheel might turn in another direction, or what might be waiting for us around the next corner...

And then came the end of the year, December 2007... And the greatest gift that life could bring us: the promise of the future, in the form of a new life -- a new member of our own little family. I couldn't be happier, and I don't even know how to put into words how significant this is for me, for both us, how much it means to know that we will be sharing so many special moments together in the future. When we knew it was certain, and when the first tests and examinations were behind us, we took a step back and breathed a sigh of both relief and anticipation. Obviously we have some challenges ahead of us, and many unanswered questions regarding where we will eventually settle down for good, but the one certainty is that this new life, this baby growing inside of me, is the greatest possible promise of new beginnings and continued love. That is all I could ever hope for in the New Year. And it feels good.

44 comments:

ashtanga en cevennes said...

I'm soooo happy for you, Alice! Such wonderful news... You have all my very best wishes. Gros gros bisous to you and la petite cacahuète!

Ms Mac said...

Oh congratulations! I am ridiculously happy for you and wish you the very best of health for the coming months!

Penny said...

Oh wow! That is just delightful news! I am really really happy for you. It sounds like you and your boyfriend have been through some hard times in recent years. I wish you all the very best for your pregnancy and will be following all your news

:)

Jennifer said...

Wow, that's SO WONDERFUL!!! Congratulations! You must be so excited!
By the way, I have some pregnancy books and stuff in both English and French and I'd love to pass them on to you if you'd like (we don't plan on using them again, so...)
Wow, did I say that your news is WONDERFUL?! :)

Charlotte said...

What thrilling news. Congratulations to the two of you, and wishing you all the best.

Roam2Rome said...

Guau!!! How incredibly sweet and beautiful!

Now *that's* the way to start off a new year :)

I lurk here often, and I don't say hello enough, but I wanted to say I'm happy for you and congratulations :)

Megan said...

yay! congrats! And just think, all that you have been through together already, you know that you are right for each other, and that you can pretty much handle anything that comes. Hope the rest is smooth sailing.

Anonymous said...

Looks like the Late Bloomer's finally blooming. I'm very happy for you darling. Let's celebrate soon!

Katia said...

Oh this is just wonderful news - I know how much you wanted this to happen, and I am so happy for you!!! Congratulations!

Emily said...

Alice, that is such wonderful news! Congratulations to you and your man. How exciting! :)

Anonymous said...

Fabulous...am very pleased for you. This year will be the BEST.

Lesley said...

That is such good news - the best thing I've read on a blog this year!

Ksam said...

OMG, this is huge!! HUGE!! Congratulations, I'm SO happy for you!!

The Late Bloomer said...

I don't know what to say: thank you all for your kind words of support and encouragement, for all the really sweet things you've had to say! It means so much to know that you're all out there, it really does... My boy may not always understand my connection with people on the Internet, but at least I know how powerful it can be. Thank you to all of you, my virtual and REAL friends! :-)

And Jennifer, thank you so much for the offer of sharing books -- I really appreciate it. We have to exchange postal addresses anyway -- I'd love to send you on a little something myself! Bises.

Anonymous said...

I knew there were good reasons to get back on here! How wonderful - and of course I'm looking forward to reading all about it.

amy said...

Wait, here's where I am. Again, congratulations!

Anonymous said...

I think you should nickname him or her "Baby Bloomer"! This is such wonderful, spectacular news, Alice. I add my support and good wishes to all the rest (and I'm tickled to know I guessed correctly). Félicitations à tous les TROIS!

Antipodeesse said...

What lovely & exciting news with which to start the New Year!

You're literally blooming now Bloomie!
xxx

JChevais said...

You know what I think, Alice dear. Congratulations again.

Bold Soul's "Baby Bloomer" has a nice ring to it.

Leah said...

Yes! This is great news, congratulations mille fois!!!

Nicole said...

congratulations! Such exciting news.

Anonymous said...

Wow! What amazing news! Congratulations! How exciting. It sounds like it's been a rough few years indeed, best of luck for this year.

I know how upsetting getting broken into can be, but I wouldn't even have a clue just how awful it would be if my partner had a heart attack, that would be most terrifying...

Congrats again! I can't wait to find out down the track what name you choose!

Anonymous said...

Tears welled up in my eyes when I read this fabulous news. It's such an awesome time, literally filled with awe.

Now I know why you were exhausted!

Hearty congratulations and best wishes.

Polly

amy said...

Oh Alice! That's terrific, I know how much you wanted this. Congratulations to you both!

Fredlaw09 said...

And his/her middle name could, might, likely be .... "Fred"? Yes, I know I said her middle name too. :-)

Anonymous said...

I'm so happy for you I could cry! Mazel tov ma belle!

Linda said...

Well, congratulations. What a surprise and what a great year you are going to have-changed forever.

Reb said...

that's so wonderful! We need some more little Franco-Americans around here :)

Riana Lagarde said...

o my gosh!!!!!!!!!!!!!! congratulations!!! so, so very excited for you!!!!

MilkJam said...

congrats!!!!!!! what wonderful news!!! :-) i'm so happy for the new little family :-)

Madame K said...

Wow! It's official. You're a grown-up!

Congratulations!

Anonymous said...

what beautiful beautiful news!!! i wish you three so much love and health!!!!
delphine

La Page Française said...

Wow! What great news! Many, many congratulations to you and your boyfriend, and I wish all the best for your family

Pardon My French said...

Congratulations! I'm very happy for you.

Aralena said...

I know I've already said this to you many times, but Congratulations, my dear Alice. I am so, so happy for you and Jean, and honestly, really excited that we can share our experiences and tips along the way! Yay summer babies! xoxo

Amy Plum said...

Oh my god - that is SO EXCITING Alice! Can't wait to hear how your pregnancy goes, and if you ever need any advice or a listening ear, I've spent the last 3 years pregnant, so am happy to be there for you!

Anonymous said...

Warm wishes and congrats from sunny and summery Australia! Bises.

momcodes said...

How in the world did I miss this? Congrats!

Karen said...

Congratulations! That is so exciting! I wish you, your man and the little baby all the best!

Astrid said...

Congratulations!! I wish you all love and happiness for the future :)

WokandSpoon said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Here's to a brand new year! Wow - I'm just catching up with your posts and that's great news! Congrats - that's so exciting!

PutYourFlareOn said...

Ah, here we are! I opened my bloglines for the first time in ages and found your entry.

Congrats, Alice! How wonderful. You know, I have lots of books to give you too and we live in the same town, too! Let me know.

Happy, happy news. Makes me smile.

Anonymous said...

so i am really, really late with this, but yay - congrats! but then i guess i can keep congratulating you for several more months and then congratulate you again once the baby is born.
i hope you are feeling great and really soaking in the joy of life growing inside you. it's a pretty amazing experience!