My beautiful, wonderful friend L is expecting a baby. When she told me this, a few weeks ago, I surprised myself and her by how incredibly moved I was by the news, I just cried and cried. This is something I’ve been fantasizing about for a long time, L having a child. When I’ve fantasized about teaching a kid various things or taking a kid to the park, I’ve always thought about it being L’s kid, not my own for some reason.

I can’t wait to meet Mini, which is what we’ve come to call her. Yes, it’s a girl, I’m sure of it. I get to go to the next ultrasound, and I can’t wait for that either.

Mini kicked today for the first time, and L messaged me to let me know. I was hiding behind my monitor, wiping tears away and desperately hoping nobody would come into my office.

She’s due three days before my birthday, and I can’t think of a better present than to get to hold that child and welcome her into the world.