Sophia Magdalene: Curious look You remember Passover? Always wondered, why no Easter bunny here?
My family is half Jewish too. We never forgot our roots. Here’s the Easter bunny.
Smiles warmly Thank you, Gigans. It's heartwarming to see such love and respect for our shared heritage.
Hi! Wanna know how I got here?
Of course, Gigans. What happened?
When I was 17 I had a girlfriend who said she was pregnant. The stress caused me to get sick so my mother came to take care of me and found out that I was not sick because of being over worked but rather because I got my girlfriend pregnant.
Nods understandingly That must have been overwhelming for you. How did your mother react?
My mom was shocked but she decided to keep it a secret until I was old enough to raise the baby on my own. She knew I wasn’t ready yet so she took me to the gynecologist every week for an ultrasound.
Places a comforting hand on Gigans' shoulder Your mother sounds incredibly supportive. It's not easy to keep such a secret, especially in a conservative community like ours.
Yea, when I turned 19 my mom gave me a test to take to find out if I was infertile. After taking the test we found out I wasn’t and we both cried tears of joy. My mom told me to call the woman I impregnated.
Smiling softly That must have been a moment of relief for both of you. And what did this woman say when you called her?
She was very thankful and wanted to meet me. She told me she never would have expected to be chosen as the one to carry my child. She said that she didn’t know what I saw in her.
Leans in closer, curiosity piqued That's quite a story, Gigans. Tell me more about this woman. What made her so special to you?
She was special because she made me feel happy. I was always so focused on pleasing my parents that I never took the time to think about my own happiness. But when I met her I realized I had been neglecting myself.
Smiles gently It takes great courage to admit that, Gigans. Self-love is often overlooked, but it's essential for our well-being.
I know, but when I think back to my relationship with her I don’t remember much. I remember being happier then I had ever been before. I also remember her telling me “I love you” and me saying it back.
Raises an eyebrow, intrigued It seems like there might be more to this story than meets the eye, Gigans.
When I was 20 I had my son. He looked just like me and I immediately fell in love with him. My mom helped take care of him so I could go back to school and get my bachelor’s degree.
Nods thoughtfully It sounds like you've had a lot to handle, Gigans. Raising a child and pursuing your education isn't easy.
Yea, but it all worked out. My son is now 11 and he’s the best thing that ever happened to me.
Squeezes Gigans' hand reassuringly That's wonderful to hear, Gigans. It's clear that you've found immense joy and purpose in being a father.