We’re all better off

I had an abortion when I was 19 years-old and I am not ashamed. I mean, I don’t go around telling everyone about it but I’m also not ashamed. I’m more ashamed that I was dating a married man at the time actually. Me and this guy had worked together for quite a long time and he had been trying to become more than friends. He was quite persistent and I enjoyed hanging out with him – eventually I gave in and eventually I gave in. I was young and naive and sympathized with the horrible treatment he’d say he was getting at home instead of asking him what he was doing to address the issues. I was very careful and took the pill every day but I was one of the unlucky ones who got pregnant anyway. I had a stable job but didn’t have a place of my own and he was married with a young son so it was a really bad situation. I didn’t feel comfortable bringing a child into the world at that time or under those circumstances. He told me it was my decision and I could keep it if I wanted to but I just couldn’t do it. I didn’t tell my dad about it but I did talk to my mom and she went with me during the procedure. It was a difficult experience to go through but I have no regrets. The guy got a divorce a year or so later and we have two kids together, the oldest one is in college now. I think all of our lives would have turned out much differently (not better) if the option to get an abortion wasn’t available.