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Engagement = Kids?

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[img]958|left|Alex Campbell||no_popup[/img]Dateline Boston — The other day at nursery school, a grandmother was congratulating me on my engagement. She turned to her 4-year-old grandson and said, in her English accent, “Lee, Alex is going to get married. Do you know what that means?” Lee paused and stared at the wall. He said, “No.” Nana continued, “It means she’s going to have a baby!” I nearly died. “Nana!” I hissed, “I am not going to have a baby! Besides, I’m 43 years old!” She looked at me quizzically and said, “Are you that old?”

It’s funny. I look younger than my age; always have. I guess people still assume that a woman will get pregnant when she gets married, no matter what age. It’s not a generational thing, either. I’ve had friends younger than me ask if we were planning on having kids.

I’ve always gone back and forth on the subject of motherhood. I’ve never had the biological clock tick, and I’m thankful for that. Having children of my own just never worked out. My S.O. has two wonderful boys. Who knew that I would grow up to become a stepmom? Certainly not me. You know what, though? It was in the cards.

I’m happy to become a wife and stepmom for the first time at the age of 44. Couldn’t have planned it better. And if someone thinks I’m 34 and planning on having kids? I’ll take it as a compliment, thank you very much.

Ms. Campbell may be contacted at snobbyblog@gmail.com