No One Believed In Her
Everyone told her not to do it. She was warned a thousand times about the huge risks that would come with her decision. She was judged, criticized, and gossiped about behind her back.
But now, years later, she's happier than she's ever been before. And that's not all: she has proved all those people wrong and taught everyone a lesson.
Michele Elizaga
Michele Elizaga is a 44-year-old woman living in Arizona. Ever since she was in her 30s, Michele had always been known as the eternally single lady in her friend group.
While all of her friends were getting married and starting families, she didn't seem to have any particular interest in settling down with someone. But why was that?
She’s A Catch
Everyone who knew her agreed that she was a catch if they had ever seen one. Michele is well educated and accomplished in her career. She has lots of life experiences. She knows what she wants and how to ask for it.
Also, she leads a healthy lifestyle, which keeps her in a physical shape that many women her age would do anything for. The bottom line is that she shouldn't have any difficulties finding a man. So what's the issue?
The True Reason
The reason why Michele is single is a really simple but also obvious one: to this day, no man has measured up to what she has to offer.
For a while, Michele listened to her friends. They told her that no one was perfect, that she should learn to accept people with their flaws and find someone to settle down with. However, that didn't go too well for her.
Troubled Relationships
For some time, Michele got into a few relationships to make things work long-term. She let herself get infected by her friends' anxieties and worries; they all made her feel like she had to get a man quick or risk being lonely and unhappy for the rest of her life.
However, those relationships were far from perfect. Every time, Michele would find herself haunted by doubts that crept into the back of her mind. Had she made the right choice?
Doubts
Every time, she felt like she was making all the effort to make the relationship work. Still, none of the men she dated seemed to be able to measure up or match what she had to offer.
Every time a new disappointment happened, Michele felt disheartened. After all, one of her goals in life was being a mother, but no man seemed to be up to the task. She would think about her partners' personalities and characters and ask herself, "would I want this man to be the father of my children?" Time and time again, the answer was "not really".
She Was Close To Giving Up
Michele was close to losing hope. She kept waiting for the right man to come, but it never happened. Meanwhile, her friends kept telling her to keep trying and maybe lower her standards.
It seemed like her only option was compromising with mediocrity, putting up with things she actually disliked for the sake of having children. Or was it? Some other options soon started popping into her head.
Assisted Reproduction
In this day and age, advanced assisted reproduction techniques allow women to conceive and give birth to a child without a male partner in the picture.
Michele started doing her own research, and in a matter of days, she made the decision: she would get a sperm donor and go through a process of intrauterine insemination (IUI). However, this wasn't free of trouble.
The Doctor Warned Her
When she told her doctor about it, he quietly stared at her for a few seconds. Then, she said to her that her decision may come with significant risks for both her health and her baby's.
Of the things the doctor said to her, there was one that shocked her particularly: there was a 90% chance that her baby may be born with Down's syndrome. After that, Michele was left thinking for a while. Would she dare take the step regardless of those risks?
Michele’s Decision
She told her friends about it, and they all thought she was making a big mistake. It wasn't only that giving birth at her age could be dangerous to her health and her baby's.
Was she sure that she could deal with all the hardships of being a single mother? Would her child grow up to be happy and healthy without a father figure in his life? But Michele was determined. Still, she faced backlash for her decision.
Backlash And Gossip
Many people in Michele's circle disagreed with her decision. They talked ill of her behind her back, criticized what they saw as a lack of judgment, and made conjectures about the terrible outcomes that Michele's pregnancy may have.
But she still carried on with her dream of being a mother, no matter what it took. The IUI was a success; in a few minutes, she was inseminated and sent home. Now, all she had to do was wait.
Positive!
"Two weeks later, I woke up anxiously at 3 am, and I took a test. I looked back at the pregnancy test, and I saw those two lines show up," Michele recounts. "I couldn't believe it. I still can't believe it. I was in complete shock, but I was so happy."
After nine months, the big day finally arrived. His son Matthew was born into the world on the 9th of July. And he came with a surprise for everyone, including Michele.
Matthey’s Arrival
"A nurse told me he was alive, beautiful, and looked just like me," says Michele. "I went down to meet my baby a few hours later. It was the sweetest moment, and I was so happy to be reunited with him."
"He spent two months in NICU before coming home. It's been quite the journey." But how is she dealing with her new life as a single mom?
Michele’s Words
"Being a single mother is exhausting and hard, especially as Matthew has additional needs. But I wouldn't change it for the world, and I couldn't imagine him any other way. It has been such an empowering experience, and I have been astounded by my strength and ability," she says.
"Matthew is a hilarious and sweet baby with the best energy. He is just amazing, and I am so grateful for being his mom." But is there a prospective stepdad for Matthew?
Quizas, Quizas, Quizas
"I do still hope that I will meet someone one day as I would like to share my life with the right person," Michele has told the media.
"But I have been single for so long and didn't meet anyone, so I can't see how I will meet anyone now, especially with a baby who has Down syndrome, as I am constantly busy making sure I am doing everything I can to support him." In order to protect the privacy of those depicted, some names, locations, and identifying characteristics have been changed and are products of the author's imagination. Any resemblances to actual events or places or persons, living or dead are entirely coincidental.