Happy Braces Bunch Day!

This time last year I was feeling a bit like an outsider in the infertility community due to our male-factor diagnosis. I needed to write a post explaining that I greatly appreciated the support I was finding through other blog-buddies, and felt the need to explain why I felt a bit disconnected.

The best way for me to express these feelings was to compare it to the time where all my friends were getting braces. Thank goodness I never had to have braces, but being a young pre-teen girl, I wanted to do what all my other friends were doing.

After one of my close friends complained after having her rubber bands tightened, I blurted out that I was jealous that she got have braces in the first place: “You always come back with the coolest color rubber bands, and it makes your smile so pretty!” I’ll never forget the look on her face of complete shock, and then her answer: “Why would you ever want this pain?”

Why would I want that pain? I felt that experiencing what my friends were experiencing would create a bond between us. But looking back, I know there were plenty of things to bond us—crushes on boys, clothes, music, school. I didn’t need to be exactly like them to gain their support and friendship.

I realized that although we may not be dealing with female factor issues that so many of my blog-buddies are facing, that I would still gain support and bond with many fabulous women (and men!)

So the Braces Bunch was created. (the original post can be read here)
The Bunch started with around 12 members, and has grown to 35 incredible women. We have exchanged supportive notes, letters, birthday cards, a Secret Santa! We have cheered successes, and sympathized with hard times. I have loved opening my mail box to see a card from one of these women—it’s so much better than getting a bill! Thank you to each buncher for the support and bond I have created with you!

Today I would like to offer an invitation to join the 2nd generation of the Braces Bunch! You can read that original post, or email me for details. If you love snail-mail and creating stronger relationships with those going through similar situations as you, this is the place for you!

Some of the 1st generation women are going to be busy (or already are!) with wee-one’s to look after, so they have graduated from the bunch. Just to reiterate, there is no cut-off or requirements to be in the Bunch. You can be in treatment, waiting for treatment, pregnant, or a parent after IF.

Wontcha be a buncher?