Columbia SC Moms Blog is bringing you its latest series titled “How I Became a Mother” in honor of Mother’s Day. Each of us has experienced a unique journey into motherhood. Some of us have struggled with infertility while others have relied on faith and science. Some started their families early, while others didn’t begin until “advanced maternal age.” Some joined motherhood through stepchildren and others have dealt with adoption. Bringing a child into this world is miraculous regardless of how it’s done. Over the next several days, we want to share with you the stories of how we became mothers, to let you know that no two families are born the same. Join us on this journey as we celebrate moms!

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How I Became a Mother ::

No April Foolin’

I’m a firm believer in things happening for a reason. I believe that people are meant to cross your path in life, that your choices guide other choices, and that life is not just a series of random coincidences. Having said that, being a mom to the children that I have is a direct result of a motorcycle accident.

I know what you’re thinking … motorcycle accident?? Let me start from the beginning …

My husband and I were engaged in February of 2008. We were excitedly making plans for an August wedding; I was teaching full time, and he was working full time and commuting to Winthrop on the weekends. As a result of that 140 mile round trip, he decided to purchase a motorcycle.

We went to pick it up on April 1. We drove home to Earlewood from Pomaria on the back roads, as he was not quite comfortable driving the bike on the interstate. I was in front, driving his car, and he was behind me on the motorcycle. Throughout the entire 40 mile trip, I had my eye on him in my rear-view mirror.

It was dusk, and we were less than three miles from our house. We were on Bush River Road, in front of the Walmart, and I drove through the green light at the intersection. I was maybe a quarter of a mile up the road when I heard a crash.

I checked my rear view mirror, and he was no longer visible.  

With a sinking feeling in my stomach, I pulled into a gas station and turned off the car. I ran back to the intersection, where I saw my fiancee lying on the pavement with his leg sticking out in an unnatural manner. Thankfully he was wearing a helmet, leather jacket, jeans, and boots, so his lacerations were minimal. However, the sight of him lying there was almost too much to take.

The driver who hit him stood there repeating over and over, “I didn’t see him, I didn’t see him.” After watching me pass through the intersection, the driver of the car who hit him turned left to go into the Walmart, and t-boned my fiance. His leg had been broken by the impact of her bumper running into his bike. The motorcycle was a total loss, and her car was undriveable. The firetrucks and ambulance arrived, and I called a friend of mine who lived close by to take care of our car so I could ride with him to the hospital.

I called several family members, and those who heard the news firsthand knew that this was not an April Fool’s joke. However, those who heard the news second- and third-hand were unsure. It’s pretty safe to say that we don’t participate in April Fool’s jokes in our family.

One positive thing about arriving at the emergency room in an trauma situation is you are seen immediately. He was assessed, and surgery was scheduled for the following morning. The surgeons inserted a titanium rod into his tibia, and attached it with screws at the top and bottom.

That night as he was recovering in his hospital room, we whispered to each other our plans for the future. Prior to the accident, we had thought we’d be married for a year or so before trying for children. We had wanted to give ourselves time to adjust to married life. However, the accident made us realize that life is precious. There were so many what-ifs, and yet we were so thankful for life. We decided that night to let things happen as they happened, and as soon as we were married we would start our family.

We were married in August of 2008, and I became pregnant within one month of trying. Our first son, Harrison, was born in June of 2009, Clark arrived in October of 2010 and Reid in July of 2012. We are happily awaiting the arrival of baby number 4 in November.

If the accident had never occurred, we would have still had children. However, had we not gone through this pain together and whispered those plans of starting our family as sooner rather than later, we would not have the children that are ours today.

Out of pain comes joy. And I am so happy to have all of my boys in my life; if this accident had not occurred, I know that my life would not be the same.