Dear Target Checkout Girl,

I’m sure you meant well. I’m sure that when you saw me come through your line for the fifth time in two weeks you felt like we were old friends. So it makes sense why you wanted to strike up some small talk. It’s pretty clear that I’m pregnant. If my belly wasn’t proof enough, the way my daughter loving taps constantly on my bump from the cart saying “baby, baby” probably gave it away. Still, I’m not sure you realized how what you said to me made me feel instantly discouraged and stuck with me for the rest of the week.

It was nice of you to ask when I was due. Then, when you brought up your friend who is pregnant with her first baby I know you were just trying to relate to me. It was what came next that was the problem, since you said one of the biggest no-no’s to ever say to a pregnant woman. “Wow, you’re only 7 months? My friend is due in two weeks and she’s WAY tinier than you are!” I hope you understood when I uncomfortably laughed and blurted out that second pregnancies are a lot different.

I meant that too, but I don’t expect you to understand. You see this pregnancy has changed my body in ways that I never expected. My belly has grown faster and bigger this time than it did with my daughter. I have moments where I feel like my body is no longer my own. It’s unfamiliar and the aches and pains that come and go are a constant reminder that I have little control over the changes happening inside me. It can be a scary and overwhelming feeling carrying a child.

Even though I walked away with my ego feeling a little bruised, I’ve now had time to process what you said to me. I really do hope that you learn eventually that you should never say anything about the size of a pregnant woman, and that when you are pregnant you never have anyone make a negative comment about your size. However, the more I thought about what you said the more I was able to be proud of my body.

You see, everything that ran through my head pointed me back to the fact that I am in fact growing a human life. My belly is huge and most of my clothes don’t fit, but that’s because my son is growing and preparing to make his entry into the world as a healthy newborn. I waddle a little bit due to sciatic pain because sometimes he’s sitting on my insides all weird. That just reminded me how fortunate I am to have a baby inside of me who is moving and growing as he should be. After really thinking about it, even the most “negative” pregnancy symptom still means that I am pregnant. I am growing a healthy and perfect little boy inside of me. This is something that not all women get the privilege of doing and I am fortunate to be getting to do it for the second time. My pregnant body is incredible. In fact, every pregnant body is, no matter the size or the symptoms it may experience.

So, sweet and well meaning Target Checkout Girl, I will not be avoiding your line next time I go into the store like I originally told myself I would. Instead I will push my red cart through your line with my head held high, a smile on my face, and exchange polite pleasantries with you. After all, I am literally walking around with a miracles inside of me, and in 11 weeks or so I will get to meet that miracle and that makes it all worth it.

Sincerely,

7 months pregnant and finally feeling good