Bethany serves as the campaign coordinator for Unplanned Stories. She is responsible for connecting parents to resources, rallying supporters to send handwritten letters of encouragement, and promoting parents’ baby registries. This is her pro-life testimony in her own words.

My boyfriend and I were living a van-life adventure lifestyle in Tennessee, miles and miles away from home, at a school where he was a paramotor instruction manager. Every day, we woke up and our lives were filled with powered paragliding, day in and day out. 

The paramotor school that he opened was located on a farm. One week, I began feeling sick every morning, and the smells of the farm became unbearable. Having a suspicion that I may be pregnant, I fearfully went to a store and secretly self-administered a pregnancy test. When it tested positive, I felt very anxious and alone.

I started to worry as I did not have health insurance and began calling around to different clinics in the area to find out how much appointments would cost. I confided in my cousin about being pregnant, but opened up to no one else, worried about what my family, friends and boyfriend would say.

My cousin told me about a pregnancy center in Nashville, where I went alone to get a free ultrasound and found out that I was 6 weeks pregnant. The people at the pregnancy center were full of love, shared scriptures and spoke hope to me. I was given resources, encouragement and help. They shared stories from their own experiences and uplifted me. 

I left the pregnancy center with an amazing ultrasound of my child and the newfound knowledge that I had people rooting for me, who messaged me and spoke encouragement throughout my pregnancy. I also participated in the pregnancy center’s “Earn while you learn” program, which helped me gain knowledge and prepare myself for motherhood.

When I finally told my parents, they were overjoyed to have a grandchild. Their excitement and support were a huge blessing to me. On the contrary, there were others close to me who told me my life would end, that I should get an abortion, and the pressure from those people was immense. I knew in my heart that I would never consider an abortion. But the pain from all of the pressure and the heartache from potentially losing those people from my life were unbearable at times and caused me a lot of pain.

Throughout my pregnancy, I got to know my baby. I went to get ultrasounds at Oh Baby Tennessee several times to check on my baby. I felt her kick and got to know her personality in the womb. When I held her in my arms for the first time, it nearly took my breath away.

My baby is the best thing that could have ever happened to our lives. I never realized I could feel so much love for anyone or anything as I do for my baby and husband. Watching her grow and develop has been a marvel. 

Everyone matters, no matter how small. Everything that we may have had to “give up” or sacrifice can not compare to the beauty and meaning of being parents. I couldn’t imagine my life without my baby girl.

You can connect with Bethany on Instagram @bethanyforlife