I grew up poor and swore I’d never have kids. My boyfriend thought I’d change my mind—until the day I came home to find him holding his orphaned niece. I said no, but one look at that baby in a laundry basket of towels, and I couldn’t walk away. Days of crying and chaos turned into small, quiet moments—her laugh, her first word, her hand grabbing my nose—and somehow, I found myself caring more than I meant to.
When her absent father disappeared again, we took her in for good. Later, my boyfriend and I drifted apart, but I stayed in the baby’s life as her godmother. Now she’s five, with a sparkly backpack and two “mommies.” I’m still childfree—but Tessa’s my heart. Not because I changed my mind, but because love doesn’t always follow your plans.
