Some you might recall me talking about her hearing loss and her operation to get cochlear implants.
Shantel started losing her hearing around age 3, it was pretty much gone by the time she was 15. But at age 16, she got cochlear implants and was able to hear again. It changed her whole world, and her confidence level shot through the roof.
She also during that time, came to accept the fact that she was bi -- she has had both girlfriends and boyfriends.
One thing she didn't do though, is stay with someone who broke 'the rules' that were talked about before getting into a relationship. She would not tolerate someone cheating on her, or lying to her...and absolutely no drugs.
There were no 2nd chances and she rarely had a relationship last more than 6 months because of her partners breaking one of the rules....especially the doing drugs one.
But she met a guy, and they've been together now for 2 years - she's 23 now, and he's 25. He must be doing something right because he's lasted that long, and he's as happy about this baby as she is.
He's a journeyman plumber. He's been going to school to get his certificates, plus working with a plumbing company that goes into new construction and installs all the pipes and fixtures. He got a big bump in pay once went from apprentice to journeyman status, so money isn't an issue with them. My niece has been workong as a waitress -3 days a week at a high end restaurant and 2 days a week at a nice sports bar. Her tips alone are as much as the wages some people earn at other jobs.
The virus shutdown had her out of work for a while, but she's back...but now needs to make the decision about quitting for her and the baby's safety.
Shantel's life has been difficult...her hearing issues, and then getting the courage to tell her family and some friends that she was bi. No one in our family cared...we love her no matter what. However, a few of her friends shunned her, and she has had a couple of incidents with strangers saying hurtful things when she's been with girlfriends. She's also had her heart broke in losing partners who she really had feelings for, but who betrayed her by cheating on her, telling her major lies about other things and doing drugs.
I just hope that from here on out, she gets the best of life...a lifelong partnership with her guy, and a healthy baby. She deserves it. She wants a boy and her partner wants a girl. Both, though, just want a safe delivery and a healthy baby regardless of gender. They are still trying to decide if they want to know the gender ahead of time.
I am so looking forward to their baby. Shantel laughed when she told me I was going to be a great-aunt again. My reply was, "I've always been a great aunt"
I also love her for wanting to take the 180 mile trip to tell me in person, rather than over the phone...even her mom didn't get that privilege. Here's a few photos of Shantel when she was 19. She's just as beautiful and hasn't aged a bit since these photos were taken. She still has her dog, Zaylee, who I believe operates on nuclear power, she hasn't slowed a bit...a typical high energy, McNab boarder collie.
Stormy
