The EriKaren Family

The lucky baby being born into this incredible family!

Over these last 6 weeks, a lot has happened in mine and Erik's lives and especially both our family's also. In the few seconds I've had to stop and think, I've come to some wonderful realizations I want to share. I'm a very lucky girl and I am seeing more and more everyday just how blessed not only I am, but also Erik.

We both have such amazing families who have done nothing but support us through our trials at hand. I appreciate it so much. I have an incredible mom and dad who never hesitated to jump up to help Erik and I the second they were approached with such big and surprising news! They have given me such an incredible and privileged life and I am so blessed to have such amazing parents to do so much for me in my 19 years. The awesome thing is, Erik's parents have done the same for him and we are so lucky to have them. All four of them have done so much for us already in making sure that even though we did do things backwards, we will still have a beautiful wedding and are making everything work exactly how I always dreamed it would be. Erik's mom and dad have been amazing in showing their support for us and helping with all these wedding plans also. So many other parents would not have hesitated to throw me or Erik out and leave us with nothing to offer our child. We're so lucky to have such supportive parents to help us and stand behind us through this stressful and exciting time. I'm so thankful that I have these two families. Our baby will have the most amazing grandparents in the world. Thank you to all 4 of you for being so amazing. I couldn't imagine better parents and parents-in-law. You've been outstandingly helpful and loving through this and I have no doubt you'll all be amazing grandparents (to Erik's parents, again) :)

Not only has it been parents that have been amazing, Erik's siblings have also been incredible in standing behind us and getting excited for us even when it's very obvious that this isn't the most ideal situation. It really makes a difference in attitude. I'm so thankful to be marrying into this incredible family that supports us through the good times and the hard times. My sister has been amazing through this whole thing and has completely supported me and Erik since the day we told her she had a niece or nephew on the way. I'm so lucky to have a new family welcoming me with open arms and open hearts. I could not ask for anything better. Thank you to all of you. You all have truly made this an amazing experience even if it isn't the ideal time and situation. That kind of support is not something you can put a price tag on and I'm the lucky person who has been handed that gift.

Also, mine and Erik's extended family have only sent the best wishes and advice to us since we broke the news to them. It is appreciated so much when I'm sure neither side ever expected either of us to take the path we have chosen. It means so much to know that our families would step up and support us without a hesitation. That's so incredible to have and to all of you, thank you so much for everything you have offered and the support you have given so openly. It's crazy what it takes sometimes to really realize exactly what blessings you really do have in your life. I'm so glad to know we have such a strong alliance for a family.

And some more people to include...thank you to our friends. You guys have done so amazing to offer help and excitement to us. You all have been so great to support us and offer the best of wishes in our new life. You've really shown me what good friends are.

As for Erik, he has been so incredible through all of this. I can't even imagine being able to completely explain how amazing this man has been to me and our baby. I'm so lucky to have such an awesome man to stand beside me when so many would run in the opposite direction without hesitation. I know that at absolutely no time did it ever cross his mind to leave me and our child. His first instinct was to stand by my side and start doing everything he could to provide for our family. I'm so blessed to have this man to call my own. In a mere 24 days, this man will be my husband and I can't imagine a man better for that role. He has been through a lot with me in the past 7 weeks. He's held my hair back during the morning sickness, calmed me down when I'm crying for no reason, woken up to my phone calls in the middle of the night to help me go back to sleep, gone out of his way to make it to all of our doctors appointments, been completely involved in planning this wedding, and has shown me all the love and understanding in the world. I can't even explain to the full extent how grateful I am to have this man in my life. Our baby is so lucky to be born to a daddy like him. He was born to be a daddy and I've known that from the first day I met him. Everyone at Lifetime(where we used to work and met) always told me that the woman to marry him would be the luckiest girl in the world and man were they right. I am beyond lucky to have this astounding man to be by my side for the rest of my life. Through everything, he has been the confirmation that we can make it through this, no matter how hard it gets, we can make it. It has become more and more obvious that this will last and we will do everything in our power to give our child such an incredible life. I could not ask for more. I love you Erik and you will be such an incredible husband and daddy. You are my everything and I cannot wait to be your Mrs. Sanders in 24 days!
No boy could be this goofy with me at 1 in the morning!


So lucky to call this boy my own =]