Mom, I Need to Tell You Something!

When your 22-year-old daughter utters those seven little words, you know life is about to change. Well, in June, we learned that our youngest baby was unexpectedly expecting. The expression "Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans" hit home. I honestly did not see this one coming.

From the start, our brave daughter, Alyssa, and her sweetheart, Brian, have been resolute in their commitment to one another and to bringing this new little life into the world. Not the order of events that any of us anticipated or preferred, but, my husband, Scott, and I, immediately pledged our unconditional love and support to both of them. Understandably, as worried parents, we have taken turns on the emotional rollercoaster -- what I call our "holy shit" moments -- but we know that everything will be alright.

    At the end of September, with the help of pink  
M&Ms, Alyssa and Brian revealed it's a girl!

Being a mother has truly been one of the greatest blessings in my life. And if anyone was meant to be a mom, it is my daughter. She has always been maternal -- always taking care of the kids younger than her no matter how young she was herself. And as she got older, she became a "kid magnet." I recall a little girl approaching Alyssa and climbing right into her lap while we waited to go into a movie in Greenville, South Carolina, during a weekend visit to tour Furman University. The little girl's dad was shocked, but Alyssa was her warm, sweet self. And senior year of high school, her varsity lacrosse teammates dubbed her "team mom." A constant inspiration to me, Alyssa's patience, kindness and loving spirit have always drawn people to her.

Sadly, many people go through their lives without finding the love of their life. And many couples who desperately want a child are often unable to become parents. None of us knows what joy or sorrow life will bring our way. I'm glad Alyssa and Brian have found one another. Their love and respect for each other is unmistakable. Embracing and nurturing love shows their wisdom, and cherishing this new life makes Alyssa and Brian angels on this Earth.

So by year's end, Scott and I -- former empty nesters -- will have feathered the "west wing" of the nest for our new family additions. We can't wait to meet our sweet, little girl's precious, little girl -- Lucy Savannah Chittenden -- due to arrive February 15, 2015.

Life is a gift. And a new life is cause for celebration.