My partner and I lived in a camper van for 3 years before I had an unexpected pregnancy. It changed everything for us.

The author and her partner lived in a camper van for years. Courtesy of Jayme Serbell

My husband and I spent nearly three years traveling the country in a camper van.

I got pregnant earlier than expected, forcing us to make a decision quickly.

Letting go of vanlife helped us realize what we actually wanted in our next chapter.

I sat in the bathroom staring at the blue cross sign on the pregnancy test , as expletives leaked out of my mouth in a whisper. Disbelief sat around me like the 4 a.m. dew outside our window.

We always wanted kids. Traveling in a camper van was our "last hurrah" before pivoting toward parenthood. But that wasn't supposed to happen yet.

The shock bubbled away, and excitement found home in my body. I smiled and covered my hand over my mouth.

We don't always get to choose our own timelines.…