i was 21 and had just started seeing this new, wonderful guy. we were trying to keep things casual, but i could tell i liked him a lot.

i was 27; had just had some most unfortunate medical treatments which left me ill and frightened; i was in no shape to have a child.

in 1961 at the age of 19 and still living at home with my parents, i had an illegal back alley abortion and began to slowly bleed almost to death. at that time in my life, i would rather be dead than pregnant.

i minored in women's and gender studies in college and am very educated when it comes to women's reproductive rights.

i never knew that i would find love in a new city. i moved to the south west for a year to work with a non-profit.

i knew from an early age that i never wanted children. so my choice was never difficult for me.

i found out that i was pregnant when i was 29 years old. married for five years, and living with my husband in stuttgart, germany (we are both american).