Marley and Me: Life as a sixteen-year-old mom

It all started in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, in 2017. I was on a month-long trip with my sibling. We went for the first time, without our dad, or knowing any Spanish, and tried to make the most of it. Some days were spent swimming at the hotel nearby, while others were sweating inside, drinking banana soda, and desperately trying to cool off. But my favorite days were the ones spent with Boris, the turtle. My cousin Richard found him and returned him to my aunt’s house before we arrived in Honduras. As soon as I met him, I needed to care for him. Eight-year-old me had a responsibility; feeding Boris lettuce every day and occasionally cleaning the tub he stayed in. Some days were more packed with fun though, making him a leash out of a shoelace and a belt. I loved that turtle, and sometimes, I like to believe that he loved me too. 

The departure from Honduras was hard. Leaving my family, leaving the country, and most especially, leaving my baby Boris. It was sad, but afterward, I had My ninth birthday to look forward to. After watching me feed and love Boris, my sibling decided it was time for me to adopt my daughter from the orphanage. Not a cat, dog, or even a hamster. A small skittish rabbit with black markings across her back and on her face. A soft bunny with brown fur behind her ears and brown eyes like mine. A sweet baby with an endless nose twitching, and love. This was the start of motherhood.

With our story, not all parts have been smooth sailing. When I was around ten and Marley was around one, she got sick. She had suddenly stopped eating and rejected any food that was left out for her. Marley was brought to the doctor and skidded across the table to me every time she got scared. That doctor trip also became a gender reveal party. Surprise! My son was my daughter. After discovering Marley’s gender and seeing the scary doctor, I was onto feeding my baby with a syringe tube. We had to mix up her food, put it in the syringe, and try to get it in her mouth, which was quite literally impossible. I sobbed, of course. It was hard for ten-year-old me to deal with, but I’m glad Marley and I got through it together. Usually, afterward, I would stay with her, hold her, and sing to her. Although it was difficult, she began eating again, and things started to lighten up.

With her growing, this meant that there were going to be changes to her room. Motherhood means growing together, so I learned to provide her with better care. She started in a cage (I know, I’m sorry, I was nine.) in my room. She resided in the cage until I started to watch more YouTube videos on proper care, and rabbit rooms. After a while of convincing my dad, Marley was moved down into the only bedroom in the basement. She had a huge cardboard box, blankets, and plenty of space to run around. She moved from that room to the middle of the basement living room, and I took her room after some renovations. When she outgrew the lack of privacy in the living room, she made her last move to where she is now, the laundry room. She still has a huge box, some toys to play with, and comfy places to stay. Marley runs around the basement freely, whenever she pleases. The only time it causes problems is when she destroys things when I’m not home, like chewing on the walls (normal for teething) or eating anything she can find on the floor.

Besides the strike on eating, and then choosing to chew on walls, Marley and I have been the best of friends for a long, long, long time. I mean seven years? We’ve seen each other grow and change, but mostly it’s been Marley seeing me lose my mind. On bad days in elementary school, I just couldn’t wait to cuddle up with my sweet little daughter. In middle school (when I was going through it), I could always hang out with her and have a good time. Now, in high school, I’m loving motherhood more than I thought I ever would. It’s more than just being a mom to her though. It’s about being best friends when everyone else is being sucky. It’s her brightening up my day by coming to see what I’m doing in my room, and enjoying our time together while we still can. 

Although not all days will be perfect, I try my hardest to take advantage of our time together and enjoy every minute I spend with my daughter, whether visiting a nursing home with her or just cuddling in my bed. We’ve had our ups and downs, but despite it all, I will never regret becoming a mother.