In four weeks my best friend from college is getting married. We were as close as can be when we were in undergrad and even though our lives went in different directions after graduation and we’ve not stayed in close touch, she is a special person in my life. So when she told me about the engagement, I was thrilled, and when we got the wedding invite, I knew we’d go no matter where in the world the wedding would be.

Except, here’s the thing, the wedding is in Mexico. And Mexico is at the epicenter of the recent Swine Flu epidemic, which is spreading quickly, including here in the US. When I first heard about it on the radio, I ignored the report as being another alarmist no-big-deal. Then I heard more reports, including those about European countries issuing travel advisories for Mexico and the US and about dozens of people in Mexico dying from this flu, and started to pay attention. And then, of course, I realized that this epidemic is spreading from the place where we’re headed in a few weeks for my friend’s wedding.

I am pretty sure that if I weren’t a mom I would go, regardless. I’d probably wear a surgical mask and make sure that I knew what to do if I started to develop symptoms, but I’d go. But my husband and are I parents and this puts all decisions and choices in a very different light. I am torn about what to do — this means a lot to me, I am sure the wedding means a lot to my friend and her family — but I am not sure how I could justify putting myself and my husband at risk. (I realize, of course, that there is a risk of terrible things happening every time I get on the plane, or in a car, for that matter, but this adds more risk and I’m wondering if it’s too much.)

What would you do in this situation? Do you think about traveling differently now that you’re a parent?