'What I Thought I Knew' Poem by Whitney Nicole Albright*

I thought that when I married, I'd only found my other half
Someone I could lean on, who'd always make me laugh
That's what I considered or what I thought I knew
But instead of picking a husband for me, I was choosing a father for you

I knew that when I prayed for you before bed in my room
You would be a miracle forming within my womb
What I didn't know was how perfect God would form you, sweet lips and tiny limbs
That because of you nothing could ever sway my faith in him

I knew you'd be a big chunk of my life, because there was nothing I'd wanted more
But I didn't realize from the moment I saw you, you'd become its core
I knew when I felt your flutters and kicks, pieces of my heart were already won
But I didn't know you'd steal it whole, my darling little son

Yes, I knew I'd lose many nights of rest
Soothe your little cries with my breast
But I didn't realize on peaceful nights, though so few a number
I would still be lying awake, just to watch you slumber

And I thought that I'd be raising a boy
To help you grow, give you a life to enjoy
But I didn't know it'd become my plan
To ensure you become a descent man

What I thought was that you'd only be significant to me while I was living
For when the flesh and blood fade, there's no love for giving
But what I didn't know, from the very moment of your birth
You would be my legacy, my mark here on this earth.