The First Step To Forever: The Crazy Idea That Made Me A Mom
As a mom, one of the most memorable stories we have is the one that began it all for us: The story of how we became pregnant! No one story is the same and that’s what makes motherhood uniquely beautiful. Some moms have the “Oh crap! How did this happen? I’m pregnant!” story. Other moms have the triumphant sigh of relief “Thank you, God! I’m finally pregnant” story. While a handful have the “I’ve planned for this and it’s right on time” story. Whatever the story, one thing that we all share is that we have became moms.
For me, the decision to become a mom wasn’t one I made lightly. I knew it would be one of the biggest, most life-altering choices ever. If I can be real with you, a lot of my decision to become pregnant was from seeing many girl bosses turned mommies on social media and watching how they “did it all.” One thing I didn’t consider at that time was how people love to post the best versions of themselves and not always their reality. It was a true reality hit after my daughter was born but that is a story for another day.
I’ve always known I wanted to be a mom. Even as a little girl, I’d dream about the day I’d have a family of my own. But knowing you want something and knowing when you’re ready for it are two very different things.
How I Knew It Was the Right Time
My husband and I are what you may call childhood sweethearts. We met when I was 14 and he was 13. I don’t know how you would classify dating at that age, but we held hands and texted every day. So, for us, it was official LOL. Being so young, and having a long-term relationship was too icky. So, after a summer-long “relationship” we broke up and for the following 5 years, we remained just friends.
In 2017 we met back in college and have been inseparable ever since. In 2021 we got married, got into our careers, traveled the world, and bought our first home. Life was busy, as it always is, with work, relationships, and personal goals. I kept thinking, When things settle down, that’s when I’ll try.
But here’s the thing: life doesn’t really “settle down.” What shifted for me wasn’t a perfect set of circumstances; it was my perspective. And a perspective shift was exactly what I needed.
I am a planner at heart. If I could, I would love to plan out the rest of my life. I know you’re probably laughing at that unrealistic idea. Trust me, if there is one thing I’ve learned over and over again being a mom, is how you think something will turn out, it rarely ever does.
At the age of 25, I planned out how I wanted to have kids. My first child would be born when I was 26, then 28, and the last two at ages 29 and 30. I’m 27 right now with a beautiful 10-month baby girl and a precious baby who is a giggling angel in heaven. Plans truly change when life stops. That’s another part of my story I look forward to sharing with you too.
In 2022 I wanted my baby plans to begin! What I wasn’t expecting to feel was fear. I was thriving in my real estate career. My husband and I were enjoying being young and newly married. I started to think about how all of that could change with just one baby.
So, I started to push that timeline back bit by bit. But that only caused this internal war of emotions to grow: should I leap? Or should I delay?
One day, in my quiet time with God, I had a special moment shared between the two of us—one of those moments where the world slows down just enough for me to hear clearly from Him. I found myself smiling and at peace when He began to show me images of what life would look like with a baby in it. He reminded me how my husband and I were so full of love that we needed to pour that into a beautiful creation perfectly blended with the two of us.
And then it hit me: I wasn’t waiting for the right time; I was waiting for the right feeling.
That feeling of readiness wasn’t about having everything figured out—it was about a deep desire to create something beautiful, share my love in a new way, and embrace a new chapter of my life, no matter how messy it might get.
The Journey Ahead
Deciding to try for a baby was a deeply personal and emotional moment for me. It marked the beginning of a journey filled with anticipation, hope, and a lot of learning. And while I didn’t know everything then—and still don’t—I knew I was ready to start.
For every mom, that moment of readiness looks different. For some, it’s a conversation with a partner. For others, it’s a moment of clarity, like the one I had. And sometimes, it sneaks up on you when you least expect it.
What About You?
There’s no universal checklist or perfect timing to becoming a mom. It’s about trusting yourself and your heart.
I’d love to hear your stories:
What inspired you to become a mom?
How did you know it was the right time for you?
How did you find out that you were pregnant?
Share your thoughts in the comments below—or share them with us in the Facebook Group! I’d love for this to be a space where we all learn from and encourage one another.
Here’s to motherhood and all the moments that make it magical.
Next time, I’ll be sharing my crazy emotional roller coaster of trying to become pregnant and the test that changed it all.
Until next time,
Dominique Johnson
Founder of Go-Get.Hers
