Nesting Cubed - A Reflection
Life unexpectedly sped up for us here. Two weeks before my due date, my doctor gave me unexpected news. My blood pressure had risen, and little nugget’s heart rate was relatively low, so we would be inducing. He gave me 72 hours to prepare before I would be brought back to begin the process of meeting our little one.
On the car ride home from the appointment, I called the mechanic in tears and panic. It was too soon. I wasn’t ready. As my rock, he reassured me we had this and everything would be okay. I called the gardener to let her know and she mirrored his response. Then, the nesting process truly began. Looking back, it was fascinating to see how we each handled the immediate prep for little nugget. Of course we had known she was coming, but our response in the days before truly highlighted our strengths and showed how we come together as a polycule.
As soon as I got home, I reached out to my boss to let her know my leave was starting early and we implemented the carefully detailed plan I had already laid out just in case of this exact thing. I am a planner and having had a plan for my patients in the months leading up to my leave was how I found peace and comfort knowing they would be in good hands. With that out of my immediate control, I panicked. I only had 72 hours before my life changed forever. I had so much to do, and nothing to do, as again, I had planned therefore so much was already organized. I spent the weekend cleaning, organizing, and double and triple checking we had everything we needed. I made sure we had a last delicious meal planned and that our last evening was spent relaxing together.
The mechanic went into project mode. The week before learning I was pregnant, we had decided to embark on a basement remodel for our house. We set out to turn our unfinished basement into three additional bedrooms, with the intention of having more space for family and friends to visit our growing family. Over the course of the year, the mechanic had framed out rooms, helped get drywall installed, insulated, ran electrical, and done all the small details. We had started painting before the news of little nugget coming early. The mechanic buckled down and finished the flooring, painting, and began on trim. He channeled his energy into making our home a more livable space for the near future. I am sure nerves brewed under the surface, but he worked on our space and our needs.
The gardener gardened. Shocker! The garden she had tended to all summer had exploded with produce and goods ripe for the picking. In the anticipation of life changing for us all, she naturally leaned into comfort. She cleaned the fridge, picked all the produce, and started the process of turning her harvest into heavenly treats. Our house smelled so good as homemade pasta sauce simmered on the stove and the makings of salsa filled the counters.
So, as our lives began to change, we all tapped into our strengths. I planned and organized, the mechanic executed needs for the future (having the rooms finished was so needed with visiting family), and the gardener homesteaded. Together, we had a plan, were ready as we could be to bring the baby home, and had a space that was filled with homemade love to bring her back to.
As partners, what strengths do you bring to the table? How do they accent and elevate the strengths of your partner/s? How can you support your partner/s in their strengths and together as a team fill in the gap of what still might be needed? In all relationships, the way we can come together is truly a magical moment and important to reflect on.
