The rhythm of the water, pregnancy

My wife, Natalie Erin Roush, is the most accomplished woman in the hunting and fishing industry that I know. Her place in the natural world, un-tethered by the tough realities of the age in which we live, has always been utterly transparent.

After we learned of our pregnancy she became even more inclined to spend time outdoors. This was strange to me and I loved watching her closely. She will often pick up a fly-rod and make the gentle 10 to 2 fly-casting motion that, when adhered to, is perhaps the most peaceful motion a person can make. She will stand in our backyard, for what seems like forever to me, and delicately place the hookless fly on our grass.

When we do go to the river she always seems as though she is at peace and, tough as it is to admit, always catches more fish than I do.

I was fortunate enough to teach a lovely pregnant couple how to fly-fish last week. They were part of a really nice group of 10 people, but I could not help but notice that the pregnant gal was the only guest who never lost interest in perfecting her casting motion.

Upon asking her why she was so focused, she responded and said "I don't know, something about the motion makes me feel at peace. It just feels right."

I was taken aback and asked her if it had anything to do with her pregnancy. She responded swiftly in saying that "I have not felt him move since I started casting. I think he is happy."

She caught more fish than anyone else in her party.

I constantly think of my wife so I cannot help but revert backward. Natalie has always respected animals. I know that this may be tough for some to believe considering our hunting and fishing background.

While there is still some roughness in my career choice in relation to the catch and release of native fish, Natalie has always kept a healthy sense of balance and maintained a heightened sense of enthusiasm for the sport.

I only mention this because of her slight personality changes and new-found appreciation for life in the most basic of forms. She now is all-the-more concerned with the quick and effortless release of a fish. She wanted to cry when bull-dozers leveled out the field behind our house where birds had laid their eggs. At first all of this seemed silly to me, but I became increasingly humbled by my wife's love and concern.

I hope and pray that other husbands have the same sort of appreciation for what their wives come to realize during pregnancy. It is, without a doubt, the most drastic change that a human being can have in their life. It is a perfect transition into maturity and completeness as a couple.

To conclude this article and stray far from the main point which I am sure that some will recognize, I must tell the readers that I have always admired the inner-workings of a pregnant woman, but I was also always afraid of how I would respond to it as a husband and father.

Aside from the financial responsibilities and safety precautions in relation to vehicles, employment and other assorted odd thoughts that immediately come to the forefront of a man's mind, it is very easy to acclimate to a "pregnant" lifestyle. My wife seems to enjoy the simple things just that much more.

She enjoys the feel of sun on her shoulders and the soft touch of her husband's hands on her stomach. She takes more interest in sunsets and never fails to comment on the feel of water on her legs.

Mark Roush is with ROW Adventures in Coeur d'Alene.