(The following is part of our weeklong Roe v. Wade Blog-a-thon)

Over a year ago, I had a great boyfriend,"Bob".  He was sweet and kind and loving.  It had been such a great change from my previous boyfriend who was a complete jerk.  I fell really fast for Bob and he fell really fast for me.   We were having sex and using condoms.  We are human and were not as consistant as we should have been.  I became pregnant. 

Let me tell you about me.  I am not a girl who has ever wanted children even when I was little.  I dont want kids and it was not in my plans.  Even Bob said he didn't kids.  Well I become pregnant and it was unplanned.  I told him and we talked about what to do.  He was "pro-choice".  He had money to pay for an abortion, but he really didn't want to.  We "decided" to keep the baby without any talk of adoption or abortion.  That was not to be discussed again.  He was far away from me during this time (as a contractor in Iraq).   So he went back over seas.  I became very depressed and I thought that my entire life was over.  I talked to some adoption agencies, but he was unwilling to give up parental rights. I decided I couldnt be with him anymore, because of the hell he was putting me through. I thought I would look into abortion and how much it would be and if I could work something out. 

I called Planned Parenthood and found out that in my state Medicaid covers Abortion services.  I felt like I could now explore every available option.  I got an appointment.  I only told a few people that I was doing this.  I went in for my counseling appointment and talked with the counselor and I cried a lot, because I didn't know what to do.  I didn't know what to tell my mom.  The counselor said I probably needed some more time to think.  That night I wrote Bob an email and explained I was looking into options (which was stupid), but that day forward he wrote me emails and called me.  

Begging me not to get an abortion, he also offered me $25,000.00 for me to keep the baby and then give it to him after it was born.  I had to change my phone number and my email address.  I called my mom and told her everything.  She was very supportive and knew that I was not happy in my situation. I decided the next week to go in.  This time I had a great support group, I told a few of my friends, my mom, my pro-life Grandma (that was awkward, but she was supportive), my religous leader (who actually took me to my appointment, she is very pro choice), my supervisor (a health educator), and a counselor.  I knew what I had wanted to do.  I connected with a nurse at Planned Parenthood and she made sure I was okay.  

I don't remember much about the procedure, which was a good thing I dont like pain.  I just knew I had felt way better after it was done.  Before I had gone through with it, I recieved one more email from Bob (he also sent it to my mom and Grandma), that I was faking the whole pregnancy and that he was going to sue me.  I have not heard from him since.  I have not had one regret and I feel my life is so much better. I did learn to never skip using at least a condom, I now use two forms of contraceptive. the patch and condoms. I was never depressed and I owe my life to the great doctor and the great nurses and great counselors at Planned Parenthood.  But I think the biggest thank you is to my pro choice mom. She stuck by me through the whole thing and I love her for it and for making me a strong woman who stands up for those who are not able to stand up for themselves.  

I am lucky to live in a state that my Medicaid covered my services. I never have looked back and I am coming up on my one year of my abortion. I feel happy and am in a great place in my life.  I wish all the luck to those who have to make this decision. Good luck.  You will make the best decision for your life. It is your decision and yours only. It is your body, do what you want to do. No one has the right to tell you to have an abortion or to not have one. And I am thankful to President Obama who is pro choice. He will fight for our rights as women. And thanks to Roe v. Wade, because I still have the life I wanted.