The Glimpse Into My Family's Future

Sunday morning, Katie and I went to IHOP (I had a delicious Colorodo omelette and blueberry pancakes, yummy) to spend time with my brother-in-law (Patick) and his wife (Jessie). As I was stuffing my face, I saw a black woman and a white man preparing to sit at a nearby table and have breakfast too. They had two BEAUTIFUL kids; a mixed boy and a mixed girl (mulatto, in the technical term). Both kids had such beautiful skin and hair color with big hazle eyes. The girl had pretty, soft-looking curly hair. Those kids represented how two different cultures can come together and make beautiful kids....those kids had the best features of both cultures. I couldn't help but stare in awe at the beautiful mixed family because I knew that very soon, I was going to be just like them.

As I looked around IHOP, I noticed people looking at them; I FELT people looking at them. Here is this nice family trying to enjoy their Sunday morning just like the rest of us. The last thing they want is for a bunch of people to constantly glance in their direction. When I took notice, I suddenly felt a moment of anxiety... What if people stared at us everywhere we went? What if some little girl tells my daughter/son at school that they are different from everyone else? What if my family and I are just trying to enjoy our Sunday morning breakfast and I suddenly feel people looking at us which causes me discomfort?

To God I give all praise! All of a sudden, those fears, thoughts and concerns eased and sharply disappeared. I think this was God's way of telling me that it doesn't matter what other people think, it doesn't matter if other people stare (even if they are looking at your family in awe), and it doesn't matter if other people disagree with mixed relationships. The only thing that matters is GOD. GOD made it possible to have such a different, beautiful looking family. I believe GOD made it as such to show the world that we are all His children; black, white, brown, purple, green and that even black notes on white paper can make the most beautiful music.

Chatting It Up with the Grandparents

Friday night was our first visit back to Florence since Katie and I announced the pregnancy to our family 9 weeks ago (she was 3 weeks at the time). We sat around with our parents drinking coffee, eating dessert, and chatting it up (just like old times). This time was a little different. Instead of talking about work, upcoming gatherings, new juicy news, gossip, or reminiscing about the pass like we normally do, we talked about all things baby! In particular, we talked about baby names. We asked our parents to share some of our family names (from both sides) to see if we would consider naming Baby Stuckey after one of them. We got some ideas...I may share them at a later date :).

It feels good to be back in the city where it all begun for Katie and I 8 years ago. I think back 8 years ago and ponder how far our relationship has grown since then. Wow..time goes by fast, but that is how it is when you get to be with your best friend on a daily basis. Sitting around with a cup of coffee while chatting it up with the grandparents is one of my favorite things to do while we're visiting our childhood city.

Welcome to Our Journey!

As we near the end of the first trimester, Katie and I are getting more and more excited about the anticipation of welcoming a new Stuckey into the Stuckey family. I have never been much of a blogger, but this is such a memorable experience for me that I couldn't pass up the opportunity to freely share my feelings, thoughts, and experiences with others. As Katie and I go through this journey, I want you to have the opportunity to see me at different moments of this journey. I'm sure there will be many moments of happiness, moments of confusion, moments of pondering, and yes even some moments of fear. However, there is one thing for sure, I'm honored to be a father. I will take this blessing and privilege as a gift from God and will cherish these moments all the days of my life.


Greg
A proud Daddy.