This is Not a Blog About Marijuana and No, We are Not Pregnant Yet

Choosing a name for the blog was a little more difficult than I anticipated. As I was mulling over ideas that could even begin to capture the spirit of this journey, Robert Frost’s poem “The Road Not Taken” came to mind. I mentioned a variation of this title to Duane and the following debate ensued:

Duane: That’s not the title of the poem. It’s “The Road Less Traveled.”

Me a/k/a the Former English Teacher: No, you’re wrong. It’s a common misconception. While the words “less traveled” are used at the end of the poem, the title is “The Road Not Taken.” Go ahead-- google it. I know I am right. 

And of course we all know how the debate ended because I am the wife and we all know that no matter what-- the wife is always right. Nevertheless, to compare this journey to a road not taken would be completely inaccurate. In fact, had it not been for others who were willing to travel it before us (to whom we would like to publicly extend a GIANT thank you), we would never have even found the road, let alone had the guts to venture onto it. So in the end I decided that “less traveled” was far more appropriate. I then emailed our dear friend Asha for the Hindi translation of the word “road.” The following conversation ensued:

Me: Duane, Asha told me the Hindi word for “road” is “rasta.” I’m going to call the blog “Rasta Less Traveled.”

Duane: Bern, do you realize what most people in America are going to think your blog is about when they see the title?

Me: Duane, I get it. I don’t care. The blog is to educate EVERYONE about the unique path that we have chosen. And if it happens to attract a few people in search of some less-oft smoked marijuana, well then I guess, all the better.

Additionally, I would like to state that we are not pregnant (yet). I have received several emails, primarily from local friends asking if “she, I mean you, I mean, uh, you know, you guys are pregnant right now?” Big sigh….We wish! Because frankly it would be SO easy to start this blog when all the fun, good stuff starts happening. However, I am not a cheater and as a result, I have started the blog from the very beginning with the purpose being threefold: 1) to raise awareness of this unique family building option, 2) to serve as our children’s story so that they can understand just how desperately we wanted  them (despite possible confusion at times regarding their unique birth stories), and 3) to keep our friends and family updated on our situation and occasionally relieve me of having to explain why I am just not up for attending their [insert baby shower, child-centered event here]. Accordingly, because it is just as important for intended parents to hear about the good, the great, and the truly magnificent, as it for them to hear about the bad, the ugly, and the down-right miserable, and because I don’t think that reasons two or three could be accomplished without sharing the WHOLE story, I have decided to start the blog now…at the very beginning of the road.