I have news! No, I'm not pregnant!

Lately, when I've announced to friends that "I have news," they automatically assume that I'm pregnant.

I've been married nearly four years to a man who would make a wonderful father, but right now, we've decided to join the DINK club - Double Income No Kids.

Friends who were married around the same time as we were started having children two years ago. We weren't ready then and we're not ready now! So, stop asking us to have a child so little Johnnie or darling Elizabeth will have a playmate. While I love kids (I have two nieces who I absolutely adore!), I sometimes think that parents want DINKs to join their club because misery loves company.

When friends ask why we haven't had children, we reply that we love our independence too much. I love that I don't have to hire a babysitter when my husband and I have a date night. I love that we can book a flight with two weeks notice for a long weekend halfway across the country and not worry about who's watching the kids. And I love that if we don't feel like cooking for two weeks straight, we won't feel guilty about feeding our kids take-out. We just went three weeks without any substantial grocery shopping; our home isn't really kid friendly these days. With my parents in Memphis and sisters in Ohio and Arkansas, and my in-laws in Jersey, but two hours away, we can't easily rely on family to step in when we want a night out. And yes, it's our fault, but we can't even tell you our neighbors' names, so they're out, too.

I'm not sure how long we will be DINKs. We're not anti-children, just pro-independence. While I think I would eventually make a great mother, I know my limits and right now, I'm selfish, impatient and would rather spend my money on a fabulous Gucci bag than daycare!