Re-Defining Community

In November, I joined a Facebook group for expecting mothers with June 2014 due dates.  It sounded like a fun idea, even if it would be a little new for me to network with complete strangers from around the country (and world).

And in 3 short months, I can't even tell you how much this COMMUNITY of women has come to mean to me.

I met a woman who lives in my town, who has friends in common with me. 
I've talked to women who are also second time moms, with the same 5 year age difference between their child. 
We've read and shared funny pregnancy stories.
We share our belly photos on "Hump Day Bump Day" every Wednesday.
We've asked questions about some of the more embarrassing parts of pregnancy that we wouldn't dare ask anyone else. 
We've cheered for each other as we joined Team Pink or Team Blue. 
We've talked about baby names. 
We've prayed for those who are struggling in their pregnancy, and who may not be getting all positive news from their scans and tests. 
We shared our pregnancy announcements and gender reveals.
We've mourned with those who have lost.
I've laughed.
I've been encouraged.
I've been inspried.
I can't wait to celebrate with these women when our babies arrive, and see their precious first photos.

As someone who grew up in a very small town, I always defined COMMUNITY as my neighbors and the people who lived around me.  These were the people who would bring you a casserole when something happened in your family or would watch your kids if you needed to run a quick errand alone. And while I would never want to downplay the importance of that kind of COMMUNITY and how important those people have been in my life, I have a different kind of COMMUNITY that was so unexpected, but so precious to me.

So while I will probably never meet this women in person, this COMMUNITY we've created is going to last long after we all have our babies in June.  I am so thankful for these women and our COMMUNITY, even though it's not the traditional definition.