i was 22, had just finished college and was dating a guy who already had three kids by three other women. he was not allowed contact with any of these women or their children.

he drank a lot, did a lot of drugs, and was largely unemployable. (i’m a smart girl and have never understood why i chose him as a partner in the first place.) there was nothing beneficial about my relationship with him, so i severed ties easily and moved away. then, i learned that i was pregnant. it was five days before christmas, i was visiting my family and preparing to leave the us for several months. there was no way i was willing to stay connected to this person for the rest of my life, or bring one more child into the world without a loving, present father. i didn’t love the guy, so how could i commit to raising a child with him?! raising a child on my own was out of the question at that point in my life. making the choice to have an abortion is one of the best decisions i have ever made, and i have never second-guessed it for a moment. i am proud of myself for having taken control of my own life, for having made a strong and difficult decision without regret, and for having set my life on a course of confidence, independence and clarity.