Erin Lichy: The Story of My Abortion

In a follow-up conversation with Glamour, Lichy says she eventually shared her story with him before his death. “I did wind up discussing my story with my dad, and his response was even more beautiful and heartwarming than I could have ever imagined,” she says. “I went into this conversation with him hoping for acceptance and support, which I was lucky enough to receive, but beyond that, he gave me friendship. It shows how incredibly supportive he was and how he was such an open-minded man. I love him so much. I will never be able to put into words how much.”

“My father was my rock, my backbone, my support, my security,” she continues. “It’s very difficult for me to put into words how big of a loss this is for me and my siblings. He was the unifier, our confidant, therapist, our joy, and our laughter. Growing up, I just knew he was behind me at all times with fierce loyalty and love. There will be a hole in my heart forever.”

Now, as a mom to three—and pregnant with her fourth child—Lichy says thinking about her abortion is even more sensitive. “I remember when I had my first child, looking at him and thinking, ‘How could I have done that?’” she says. On the other hand, she acknowledges that she wouldn’t be where she is right now, or the kind of mother she is to her children, if she hadn’t gotten an abortion at 18.