I told my husband I wasn’t ready for children – His response shocked me

My baby and I got married in December. And by January, the WhatsApp messages had already started.  

“So… when should we start expecting?”

“When will you make us grandparents?”

“My dear, don’t wait too long o.”

Aunties I had not spoken to since 2019 were suddenly very interested in my reproductive schedule. My mother-in-law, God bless her, called every other Sunday with a brightness in her voice that was not about me. My own mother started sending me TikTok videos…about fertility. About “not waiting too long.” About women who waited too long. One of them had a stock photo of a woman looking sad next to a window. 

I could not make this up. 

It’s funny how people assume marriage comes with an automatic countdown to babies. As if once you say “I do,” the next item on your to-do list is “Buy baby socks.”