Gratitude Journal 2020: “It Wasn’t the Pregnancy I’d Imagined”

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This festive season, we get to speak to some of Beijing’s families to hear what the year 2020 has meant to them. Despite the many downs this year has dealt us all, there is always a reason to be grateful. Join us as we count down all the reasons we are grateful for the year 2020. If you wish to be featured in this series, please contact our Deputy Managing Editor at [e-mail]. 

Mina Yan, Managing Editor of beijingkids 

At the beginning of this year, when we at beijingkids began to receive strong indications that COVID-19 would be far more than just a passing fluke, we got down to work compiling an extensive information database to help Beijing’s residents through. Leading the charge was our Managing Editor, Mina Yan, who seemed to work on 24-hour loops, researching and putting out blog after blog as the latest local and global updates first trickled then poured in. Much like the rest of Beijing’s residents, the beijingkids team was forced to work remotely, for a period that stretched well over three months. In this time, a team that was used to boisterous banter, long team-building lunches, and cozy friendly energy at the office was separated, and the reality of the time, along with its attendant sadness set in.

But there was a silver lining. In all the global chaos, Yan shared with us the joyous news of her pregnancy. It was not just a silver lining in an otherwise grey horizon, but a sign of hope for better days to come. And come they did, as we all cautiously returned to the office, now aware of the beautiful life growing inside our Managing Editor. It would be an understatement to say that Yan’s pregnancy became a team pregnancy. Given how the year had begun, we were all not only grateful to be back together again but for the force of nature that was Yan, in her full expectant glow and glory. She shared with us what this year has meant to her as she counts her blessings one little adorable toe and finger at a time!

Beijingkids: Before COVID-19 was the global pandemic that it is today, what were some of the plans you and your family had for 2020?

Mina Yan: We had planned a trip to Xi’an during Chinese New Year and my husband and I had planned on going to California to visit my dad. About a week before we were supposed to leave for Xi’an we decided to cancel the trip because of COVID-19.

BJK: What were you and your family’s initial reaction to the global pandemic?

MY: Honestly, at first, I didn’t think it would become a global pandemic. I thought it would be something that was contained in Wuhan and disappear a few weeks later. When it became clear COVID-19 was much, much more serious, I pretty much didn’t go outside anymore. I didn’t really know how to react because you don’t know who has it or how it was even spread back then. I remember the central AC systems in hotels being shut down because they didn’t want it circulating throughout the building and a ton of rumors going around in WeChat groups about how you can catch it if you touch the same things that someone with COVID touched.

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BJK: What were some of your greatest concerns or sources of anxiety this year?

MY: When COVID-19 became a serious concern I had just found out that I was pregnant and the safety of my baby became my main concern. Because we weren’t 100% certain how COVID was spread back then, my husband and I moved into his hotel and I didn’t leave the room for over a month. When I went to the hospital for prenatal checkups I would wear multiple layers of face masks, goggles, rubber gloves, and carry a bottle of sanitizer with me.

BJK: How did you as a family cope and manage the anxiety around that uncertain time?

MY: Back in February or March when COVID was getting serious, I kept on reminding myself that at least my husband and I were together. There were so many families separated by travel restrictions that I was grateful to have my partner by my side.

BJK: What has surprised you the most as a family about each other, and about the city of Beijing this year?

MY: To be honest, even before COVID-19 my husband and I never really went out on the weekends. A normal weekend for us is usually hanging out at home with movies, so being in self-quarantine wasn’t much different.

What surprised me about the city is how efficient Beijing became with checkpoints and how many people volunteered to work these checkpoints even with all the uncertainties regarding COVID-19.

It also surprised me how many of us are able to work remotely. The beijingkids team continued to put out blogs to keep the Beijing families informed on COVID related news and school info. We also put together our print magazine without the team actually being in the office.

BJK: What are some of the most important lessons and takeaways you have from this year?

MY: In October we welcomed a beautiful, healthy baby girl. This wasn’t the pregnancy I had imagined, especially in the beginning when my husband wasn’t even allowed into the exam room at the hospital due to COVID. But, like with many other things this year, we learned to roll with the punches and be amenable to last-minute changes.

BJK: What are some things you believe you and your family will no longer take for granted after this year?

MY: We’ll definitely appreciate our time together much more. My dad visited us in Beijing last year and his usual August trip to Beijing had to be canceled this year due to travel restrictions. He hasn’t been able to come for many milestones that I know he wishes he could be here for.

BJK: What are you most grateful for this year?

MY: The latest addition to our family – little baby Aria.

BJK: Is there anything you will do differently in the year 2021 as a family?

MY: As new parents, we’ll be doing everything differently from now on. I can’t wait to finally be able to travel again and to introduce my daughter to the rest of my family who isn’t in Beijing.

BJK: If you had to do 2020 all over again, what would you do the same, what would you change and what lessons do you feel you will pay more attention to as a family?

MY: I’m so grateful for the amazing people I have in my life. I have a job that I love and get to work with a super fun group of people, amazing friends, and a drama-free family. I don’t think I have any serious regrets this year.

BJK: Do you have a holiday message for other families in Beijing?

MY: There are still many of us who are separated from the rest of our families this holiday season, but Beijing is a melting pot and we’re all in this together. For me, the term “Beijing family” isn’t something cheesy that just gets tossed around. This city has a way of bringing people together (except that you actually get to choose them).

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Photos: Courtesy of Mina Yan 

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