“Welcome to my pregnancy,” Torrie said, shifting around on the living room sofa, trying to get comfortable.
I smiled. I love being pregnant vicariously. I get to squeal at the first heartbeat, speculate about the baby’s sex, pick out names and obsessively peek at sonogram pictures – and not experience one ounce of discomfort. It’s the very best of arrangements.
While Torrie fidgeted with pre-natal newness and the perpetual almost-belch, her Husband sat back with a glass of wine on the couch next to her, and I scrunched up on the club chair to watch Nip/Tuck.
“Mmmm, I’m craving orange juice.â€ù She annouced a bit later.
“Want me to go get you some?â€ù Husband asked, eager to feed the need.
“No, no. That’s not it at all. Just announcing my craving.â€ù She looked at me. “Like I said, welcome to my pregnancy.â€ù
“You sure?â€ù Husband asked.
“Yes, I’m sure.â€ù
And I believed her. Hers did not sound like one of those put-on sures, where she actually means, Yes, you turd. Because of you I am knocked up and you should be getting me some damn orange juice. Her mouth had merely been working at the same speed as her brain. Husband said okay, sat back in his seat, and then, after a moment looked at me.
“You know what I suddenly got a craving for?â€ù
“Hmmm, what?â€ù Though, I knew full well what he was about to say.
“Orange juice.â€ù
I laughed. And he disappeared out the door, down the elevator to the deli below where he bought orange juice (the kind of orange juice that she just loves) and, in anticipation of future cravings, a Three Musketeers Bar.
I loved every second of that exchange. I loved him being so eager to please her, her being so pleased by it – she sat, in a sort of bashful glow as she waited for him to come back – and being so thankful for him and that gesture. I loved that this was how he participated in the very earliest stages of her pregnancy.
My participation mostly consisted of What Can I Get You’s and a hearty high five when she finally let off that belch.
I wish I could write about my own life as beautifully as you do.
On a completely different note- I just had a milkshake for dinner.
Beautiful moment. Your retelling it, I’m sure, makes it that much sweeter.
I’d also prefer, for now, to be pregnant vicariously through other friends. I bet you’re a great friend!
Any update on the “assignment?” I never got the email and don’t know if I missed getting on the list! I know I emailed you right away after reading the post, but my email could have been funked up that day as it so often is. Will you let me know? Thanks!
Brooke, I’ll check and let you know!
hmmm, you know what i’m craving now? a three musketeers bar. mmmmmmmmm…
My husband and I frequently fantasize about how he’ll spoil me when I get pregnant.
Fish, you are an amazing writer! Every single time I read a post I am transplanted into the situation like a fly on the wall…every time wishing I was literally in the moment you’re retelling with you and friends!
Also, my best friend is newly pregnant and unfortunately lives about three hours away but I absolutely can see this happening moment for moment!
Enjoy being vicariously pregnant Fish! Best days of our lives right now…
Be careful. All that vicariousness is one step shy of ‘drinking the water’….
I love this moment…and how it touched you. I remember my best friend’s pregnancy a few years back. I loved going through it with her…all the way into the delivery room.
Thanks for the wonderful memory.
Beautiful post. I’m spending time with a prego friend of mine in Paris right now, and finding it equally thrilling. Although I am starting to feel those pangs of “me too” kick in! Oh oh…
What type of OJ was it. My wife, while not pregnant and not soon to be also craves OJ. Her brand of choice is Simply Orange – Pulp Avalanche or Pulp Explosion, whatever. But since she uses it to wash down her Seasonale, I do not complain.
The pleasure we get from satisfying that need is even greater than hers.
thanks heather, keep me posted!
(From This Fish: Oh jeez! That’s why I can’t find you. I keep looking for Brooke and you’re a MEG! Email coming shortly!)
I love men that take care of their wives like that and don’t think thier job eneded at conception. Just that fact that he turned it around and made it his craving to make her happy, was just the most sweetest thing ever.
Torrie Congrats on your pregnancy and having such a sweet husband.
Damn it! Now I want some orange juice…ooo and a Three Musketeers!!!
Ha! I’m sorry about that! Brooke is my middle name! Thanks:)
That just conjurs up the sweetest images in my mind. I can’t wait to get pregnant and experience the same things with my husband.
Congrats Torrie!
That is the sweetest thing ever! Lucky girl Torrie! Hope she has a smooth pregnancy and good luck to her! If her husband has a brother maybe she can nudge him over this way…
Hi-first time posting. I just loved this story because one of my best friends (and next door neighbor) just found out she’s pregnant so every night one of us crawls over the balcony separator and we look through prego books. Her husband thinks its hilarious. (although we both know he’s just as excited as us) It is fun going through it with her…but now I really wish I was having a baby too…oh well…someday soon hopefully.
beautiful moment, very touching, thank you. A husband like that is to be treasured. The father of my children unfortunately lacked those qualities/skills. I love babies! As precious as they are, remember they grow up and move on with their lives. The man you love will stay by your side for a lifetime if you keep that relationship a priority. Congratulations, Torrie!
Thank you everyone!
THAT guy is a KEEPER. She is one lucky girl.
how sweet! My best friend lives too far away for these exchanges for me to witness!
Your post just reaffirmed for me how much better it is to wait to have that, then to settle!
What an aswesome thing!
now that is what I call sweet…on both the husbands part & yours…where can I find a man like that…
beautiful exchange between the husband and Torrie the talented photographer. Congrats to the two!
Sign me up for one of THOSE husbands! STAT!!
this was really beautiful. Congrats to your friends.
We should all be so lucky.
Great post.
that so makes me feel like how do you cope with pregnancy when your friends are pregnant but not yourself, i wish i could be pregnant to prove people wrong my friends dont believe that i can have a baby hmmmmmm……gods creation!