The Perks of Being a Part Time Receptionist and Full Time Pregnant Person

As much as I could complain about working while pregnant, I'll focus on the amazing things I love about my current part time job as a receptionist.

1. I get paid
2. People tell you "you have the cutest belly!" when technically they're complementing your uterus so you chuckle and say, "Thank you!" 
3. You laugh when you drink water because when you think about it you're "growing a human" and you are drinking water because "you need to water your baby." 
4. Someone asks you to "move to NJ with them and become their nanny," and while that would be great if you weren't 5 months pregnant at the time you tell them, " Well, I'm actually going to have my own little one soon," while they look at you in shock and respond, "YOU'RE PREGNANT?!" 
5. Guests don't get mad at you when you accidentally spill their salad dressing all over yourself and inside one of the ladies open purses while 6.5 months pregnant because you were trying to balance two heavy plates full of food and a tray on your stomach.
6. You apologize to that lady for about the 18th time when she's checking out and she goes, "It's ok, if I get hungry I'll just smell my purse!"
7.  People smile at your baby bump. (If if you actually think about it, it's a little creepy because they're smiling at a baby who could be hidden under the invisible cloak from Harry Potter. (which is your bump). You then wonder if they are Harry Potter fans too.
8.  People tip you!
9. No one glares at you while you're eating
10. People say "excuse me," and actually mean it because they're trying not to hit your bump
11. People complement your necklace, which, little did they know you bought right before you found out you were pregnant, and it just so happens to be your daughter's birthstone (And worth $2 at Forever21)
12. People smile.

    They smile a little more when they realize you're pregnant.

    They smile even more when they ask the gender and your response is, "A girl!" 

    They beam when they realize your mom is the massage therapist who just made them the most           relaxed person so far in human history.

    Then, when they find out it's your mom's first grand baby, they say to her, "that little girl is going       to be the light of your life!" 

And suddenly, all of the overwhelming mistakes you've made don't matter anymore because you finally feel like you've done something right. Because a complete stranger could look at you, not judge you, and say a complement that reminded you of your  true worth.

I hope that you have a lovely weekend and realize that your worth doesn't have anything to do with your mistakes.

Photo By Emma Ricupero

9.23.13