OMG

I've been chilling most of the week basking in the sunshine and beautiful weather. Yesterday, when I came back from the gym, I quickly checked email (I haven't been doing that much this week) and found the following from an acquaintance from when I lived in Pittsburgh.

Strange question.

Would you be willing to be the father of my baby? lol

No seriously, I have been thinking this through and I'm turning 32 this year and having a bit of a "I'm getting to old" crisis! I want to have a baby in the next two years, except I'm not even dating anyone!

I don't know if you would or not, but you were top on my list! I wouldn't require and monetary funds or make you actually be the father if you didn't want to. I just need sperm!

I know this sounds rediculous, but I thought I'd give it a shot.

Call me xxx-xxx-xxxx.

Before I continue, some background information. When I moved to Pittsburgh in 2000, I moved into an apartment by myself. This person worked in the leasing office. Apparently she had a big crush on me then. I'd find that out a few years later when I was told that she was devastated when C went in to pick up the keys that I left for her when she was moving in with me. She apparently didn't think that I had a girlfriend, although everyone else in the office knew that I did. I have not seen this person in well over a year. I don't think that I've talked to her in over that same year. When I was in Pittsburgh for work 18 months ago, I met up with her and bunch of other friends from my time there for a few drinks.

You can imagine that when I first read this email I was thinking wtf? I didn't quite know what to say or how to take this. I guess that I should be flattered to think that I'm on the top of her list. Also, what in the hell is she thinking? She's NOT EVEN 32 yet, and she's worried about having a baby. I know that it's different for guys and girls, but let's get serious for a minute.

IF I was going to do this, I couldn't NOT be involved. It's not the way that I am. I couldn't just be a sperm donor, especially with someone I know. I have too many friends that are in a similar situation where they either had an absentee father growing up or the father of their child isn't really around. I can't imagine what that would be like. My parents both worked, and would travel some, but they were there. I don't know what it would be like to be a single parent, or a child of a single parent. More importantly, I don't know how someone can bring a child into this world, and willingly have nothing to do with the child. Unfortunately, I know someone who was in that situation as well.

Knowing her, she's not looking for my sperm for in-vitro. That would cost too much money. She'd actually be looking to do the deed until she got pregnant. At that point it's not really donating sperm, it's being a lover. That I'm not into.

There's one more thing as well. I don't know that I can actually have kids after the surgery I had last year. One of the possible side effects was possible sterilization. I've never had that checked out as I haven't had a reason to. This doesn't give me a reason to, but just something to think about. Before I had the surgery, I was given the option to freeze sperm in case I became sterile. I did not. My thinking at the time was that if I was in a relationship where I wanted to have kids and I could not, we could always adopt. If I did get to to the point in a relationship where we were talking marriage, my partner by that time would know that this is a possibility. I would get tested and know ahead of time if I might have a problem having children, and let my partner know. Interestingly enough, I started to have some pain there again yesterday, something I haven't had in a few months. It's not really discomfort either, it's pain. I put a call into the Doctor this morning, and I'm waiting to hear back. Hopefully it's nothing major.

As far as this situation, I am going to talk to her, and explain to her that I just can't do it, and explain to her that she does still have time. I know that being a mother of your own child can be important to a woman. There are pleny of children out there, babies even looking for a good home. If she is interested in being a mother, and she doesn't find a guy, she can always adopt a child.

Anyone have any thoughts?