Having A Family
She and her doll husband began their relationship. "It was love at first sight," she said. But her time with him would lead to something unexpected.
"A few days into our relationship, I found out I was pregnant," she shared. "Knowing we couldn't have a kid out of wedlock, we decided to get married!" Her dream of having a family was finally a reality.
A Boyfriend In A Week
It all started as a joke, with her mom claiming she could find a man willing to be her boyfriend in less than a week. Of course, Leila agreed, seeing she had the worst relationship luck.
But the gag would soon be over a few days later when Leila found herself pregnant with a ragdoll's baby. How it unfolded will leave you smiling.
Finding The One
Most people worldwide wish to find the love of their lives and settle down. The innate need to share the rest of their lives with people they feel the most connected with is almost universal.
But the process of finding these significant others is usually easier said than done. For Leila, her journey to her perfect match would involve her caring mom's unique gift of stitching and cracking knee-slapping jokes.
Leila Hernandez
Leila Hernandez was born the only daughter of seamstress Anita Hernandez in a small town near Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Growing up, she'd always been lively, taking after her mom in every way.
Since she was raised by a single mom, Leila looked up to her mother for everything. She had no clue that she'd follow this trend when finding the love of her life.
Dating Can Be Challenging
It is said that no matter how old you are, you'll still be a baby to your parents. Leila was twenty-six when she visited her mom, crying into her lap as they had one of their famous late-night talks.
"She shared how challenging she'd found dating to be," shared Anita, recalling her moments with her daughter. What she'd do for Leila would show how much she cared for her daughter.
Her Coping Mechanism
Anita had always made light of difficult situations as a coping mechanism. Understandably, she did the same with her daughter's predicament.
"I could hear the pain in her voice as she talked about her previous relationships," Anita shared. She learned that Leila had difficulty finding someone who truly loved her and knew she had to find a way to make her smile.
A Joke
"It started as a joke," said Leila. "My mom claimed she could find me a boyfriend in less than a week." She wholeheartedly agreed, seeing she was on vacation with some time to spare.
But unknown to her, her mom was off to create something in her workspace that would change her life forever. It would only be a matter of time before Leila found herself in a delivery room with a child on the way.
Her Creation
Leila's mom disappeared into her workspace for what seemed like days, only reappearing for meals, a quick shower and chat, and a nap. Leila had already forgotten about their deal when out of nowhere, the older woman came out of her workspace with a full-sized rag doll.
"Meet Eddy, your new boyfriend," she said with a grin, patting the doll's hair. Leila burst out laughing. If only she knew her future was standing before her.
Love At First Sight
Leila and Eddy began their relationship. "It was love at first sight," Leila said. But her time with Eddy would lead to something unexpected.
"A few days into our relationship, I found out I was pregnant," a cheery Leila shared. "Knowing Eddy and I couldn't have a kid out of wedlock, we decided to get married!" Her dream of having a family was finally a reality.
The Wedding
Leila and Eddy had the best wedding one could ever wish for. "The wedding was a wonderful, very important, and emotional day for me. It rained a lot, but it was wonderful."
More than 250 people attended the ceremony, wishing the two love birds a happy life together. They had no clue that Leila and Eddy were expectant.
Married Life
With the wedding and honeymoon done, Leila set out to be the best wife she could be. Talking about her experience as a married woman, she said, "It's everything I could have asked for. Eddy is very good to me."
She revealed that Eddy is "a great and faithful husband" and "the envy of all women in her neighborhood." The couple prepared to welcome their first child together.
The Delivery
Leila's due date came, and her mom, alongside a doctor and nurse, joined her in her room for forty minutes, where they successfully delivered Javier, her son.
"The delivery was successful," Leila's mom reported. She'd spent two days sewing Javier together for her daughter, seeing how happy she was with her new life. This would only be the beginning of their lives as a family.
Returning To Normal Life
Leila's vacation days were finally coming to an end. She packed everything and got ready to return to the city where she worked.
But since she was a mom and a wife, she found it difficult to leave everything behind. Could she walk away after having the happiest two weeks of her life with her mom, son, and husband?
The Reality Of Things
Reality was calling to Leila. As much as she hated it, she knew she needed to answer its call. With everything packed, she helped Eddy and Javier into their car and headed back to the city.
By now, her story had spread all over her place, making her a micro-celebrity. Most people came to see the woman who'd married and had a child with a rag doll. While others were baffled by her decision, others left her utterly speechless with their responses.
The Truth Behind It All
"Several of the people who've approached me about my decision have admitted that the dating game is the most difficult it's ever been," the mother of one shared. "It's not guaranteed that everything will work out even if you find the one. Divorce rates are the highest they've ever been, and breakups are being handed out left, right and center. I am happy to have found someone who, although very lazy, will never leave me," Leila said.
Disclaimer: 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, places, or persons, living or dead, are entirely coincidental.