Well... it happened. The two pink lines showed up on the stick. Not one line, but two, and the colors were as bold as they could be. You couldn't deny the truth right in front of you. Sappy songs like "There Goes My Life" by Kenny Chesney began playing on repeat in your mind. You sat there on the cold bathroom tile, and the long list of things you're about to give up runs in front of your eyes like a Star Wars intro.

No more alcohol. No more friends. No more fun.

It's like a cheesy Lifetime Movie flipped on, and suddenly, you're the lead roll.

I know. I get it. I was there, too.

Maybe you were/are 19 or 16 or even 22, but you are still YOUNG.

I began tackling the battle of being considered a "young mom" when I became pregnant with my first child at 19. He was born just before I turned 20. I definitely had my moments of doubt, for myself and my abilities, and I had my own cheesy Lifetime Movie breakdown. (My mother even had own of her own, for my sake.)

It seems as if we, as a society, forget what "pregnancy" really means because we created this negative connotation for it when it comes to a younger woman. We forget pregnancy does not just mean things exist we must give up, but it means so much more exists to gain.

You are gaining a child, a new life, and someone to love. Ways around getting the "young" ripped away from you exist. Being a mom means devoting your life to another, but you do not have to give up your life completely.

One can expect spending the majority of her time taking care of her child, but with help from others, you can still spend some time being young. Family members, friends, and babysitters allow ways to have a break from time to time to remember what it was like when it was just all about you, but you must also keep in mind you can not run away from the responsibility waiting for you at home. You can own the fact you are a mom and should do so, but enjoy the time you're given to have a little fun.

One way to really enjoy motherhood is to allow yourself to still be young when the opportunity arises. This can help a young mom cope with the new and wonderful change occurring in her life.

Nothing bothered me more than being told, "You are throwing your life away," when I got pregnant. Not only did it scare me, but it hurt me. I knew what I had to cut back on or give up for the sake of this child, but I knew the life growing inside of me was so much more important. I had no idea what truly lied in front of me, but I was ready for any battle thrown at me.

The biggest battle I faced since my son became apart of my life was dealing with the opinions of others. These hateful opinions of me formed thanks to a society always assuming the worst. I knew every time I stepped out my front door, someone would think, "Oh, I bet the dad isn't even around... If she even knows who it is," or "I"m sure her parents take care of that child, and she goes out to party."

I was the main target for judgement, and that battle, I hated to face. I had to prove myself to myself and everyone around me because they made me doubt my ability to raise my son. People forgot what a great thing having a child is and only focused on my age.

I decided I could be young and still be a better mom than 90% of women, despite my age. I did not make this decision for me or for the people watching my every move; I did it for my child because he matters more than I do. He matters more than the outsiders looking in. He matters more than still wanting to be young.

Some young moms out there leave it all up to their parents. Some young moms care more about drugs and alcohol than their children. Some young moms let their children sit in their own feces for days. Some young moms party nonstop.

Some moms choose to live terrible lifestyles, but these types of moms are not always YOUNG moms. They can be any age. However, I chose not to be one of those types of moms.

I choose being a mom who loves watching her angel take naps.

I choose being a mom who always has a bottle ready to go at all times.

I choose being a mom with a closet full of baby clothes from sizes newborn to two years old.

I choose being a mom who uses her paychecks to buy diapers and wipes when the supply runs low.

I choose being a mom who would rather shop at Carter's instead of Michael Kors.

I choose being a mom who would rather play peek-a-boo than watch Netflix.

I choose being a mom who doesn't care if I smell like baby puke or if my new outfit has milk stains.

I choose being a "diaper changing in the dark" professional.

I choose being a non-stop baby kisser.

I choose being a late night, half-awake, "holding a binkie in his mouth" cuddler.

I choose being the mom I would want to have as a child, and that brings me more joy than anything else the world could give me.

Being young is a choice. Being a mother is a choice, but you can choose to be both, and be good at both, without sacrificing one for the other.

I choose being a young mom, and I would not have it any other way.

What would you do?