I never realized that even after eight years in the military I still somehow gravitated towards a uniform. Not just any uniform, specific articles and accessories that make me feel like I’m ready to take on the day. No matter if I feel good, bad, or indifferent, my pearl earrings make every outfit public appropriate. I feel naked without them. I even workout wearing smaller versions of them. O_o Accented with my favorite necklace, (a single strand of round pearl beads worn by my mother on her wedding day); my pearls can bring any outfit to life. Even a basic sweatshirt.

If I had to choose, some variety of a sweatshirt would be in my top five article of clothing. They are comfortable and warm and when paired with the perfect jean or legging BOOM!  You have an outfit ready to run errands (the bank, the mall, and Wal-Mart), visit friends and family (Homecoming and the 3.5 hour drive to Northumberland), or simply lounge around the house on a Sunday afternoon, sipping Northern Neck Ginger Ale and watching previously recorded eppies of Law and Order: SVU.

You see, I had been tired for weeks, and just figured the JMU tailgating and road trips between Northumberland and Richmond had worn me out. I was exhausted and ignored signs from my body telling me to take a chill pill. On top of being extremely tired, work was stressful, and I hadn’t seen you know who. I figured it was the stress and continued living my life, three glasses of wine that week.

On October 30, 2015, I took a home pregnancy test and realized that I shouldn't have had those three glasses of wine. I couldn't believe my eyes. I didn't want to believe my eyes. I gave the test to Beez and asked him what he saw. "Baby, that's a positive. One light blue line and one dark blue line. I can see that without my glasses." I freaked out. "It doesn't matter the shade of blue I just need to know is that a positive?!"

"Yes baby, it's positive."

I cried and laughed and did a weird mixture of the two, all the while he held me and reassured me that it was okay. 

I just kept thinking, I am going to be a mother. 

He knew our baby would be loved. The only thought I had after that overwhelming scene was that I wanted a salad (with Zesty Italian Dressing) from TGIFridays and I wanted to go to bed. I was tired and hungry and did not think my Friday night would be so eventful.

The next day, still in shock and not really in the mood to get dressed, I donned my Army sweatshirt, tussled my hair, and put on my pearls. This was a big day and I needed familiarity and comfort. Soon we hit 95S for Northumberland to share the news. Along the drive Beez reminisced over the fact that we literally have known one another since we were children and now I was going to be the mother of his child.

Vera Wang said, “A woman is never sexier, than when she is comfortable in her clothes,” and I have to agree. On one of the most emotional days of my life, I chose my uniform. I chose comfort over heels and pantyhose.

Needless to say, if you give me a pair yoga pants, a sweatshirt, and my pearl earrings, I can make life happen (literally).