Last year, I had an abortion. I’d done everything “right”- I was only seeing one man, I was using birth control, I was being “responsible.” But I had an IUD and it turns out that I also have a heart shaped uterus, rendering my IUD basically ineffective.

When I found out I was pregnant, it was less than a month after I’d finally graduated from college after spending 6 years of my early 20s working my way through school. I’d been dating my boyfriend for about 6 months, but I knew we wouldn’t last. He drank too much and he made me feel bad about myself. It was clear we wouldn’t have a future together.

I knew what I would do the moment the pregnancy test came back positive. There was never a doubt in my mind and I haven’t doubted my decision since. In order to create the future I wanted for myself – the future that will include a husband and children who are planned for and wanted desperately – I needed to have an abortion. I am a woman, I am a human, and I have the right to shape my life and my future in such a way that will bring me joy.

I’ve been seeing a different man for about a year now. He knows about the abortion and he supports me, doesn’t judge me. I very much hope that one day soon we’ll make the decision to have a family of our own. I know that when the time comes, it WILL be a decision that we have made together and that knowledge brings me peace.