It is hard to believe that one year ago we met our daughter for the first time! I still remember the day so vividly and pondering it brings happy tears to my eyes. Getting a call just a few hours before she was about to be born! Being asked if we wanted to adopt a baby girl! Flying out the next day and getting the power of attorney to go see her for the first time! Seeing her face and holding her for a few hours! Okay here come the tears.
This year’s birthday is a little more special because it is the first one we are spending it with our daughter. Last year, we met her on day two. So this is a huge deal for our family. Getting to celebrate the little bundle of joy who has added so much happiness and love to our family.
A few times I have thought, what if we had said no? What if we didn’t get to be her parents and we weren’t ready for whatever God was leading us to? There are a lot of questions I contemplate from time to time. I get so sad thinking about this one though. I usually dust it off and hug my baby even tighter and give her an extra kiss and proclaim, “I’m so glad God brought us together!” I am so grateful we didn’t miss out on what God had in store for us. I remember being anxious for something to happen and asking God, “When and why not now?” But as I learned in my own journey, God’s timing is perfect.
I have been honored to listen and advise some women on their paths to motherhood. It is a privilege when others ask me to talk with them as they are going through a similar experience as I did. Please, if you know of any women who have had a miscarriage, is infertile, is contemplating adoption, reach out and I would be happy to chat with them. I am still praying on “Mommy Mondays”. I originally started my blog sharing about my own two miscarriages and was in the midst of mental chaos when it came to my desire to become a mom. I didn’t know where the journey would lead, but I trusted in God and kept my hope in His Plan. And now, I feel like I’m at the other end of the rainbow. My daughter is better than any pot of gold, but I can say with confidence that God led me upon a path I am grateful to have experienced. I enjoy testifying to God’s hope and what He can do in your life. I have a story to share and you do too!
One of the most beautiful things that have come out of the year is the outpouring of love and excitement for our family. Each week I posted an update of our baby girl and there were so many wonderful comments. People asked how she was doing, followed her progress, shared in our excitement of her milestones and just genuinely cheered us on. It has opened my heart even more to return these sentiments to others when befitting.
I love being a Mom. I was an aunt for six years before having a child of my own. I did all of the fun things with my nieces. Shared in birthdays, holidays and celebrations. Traveled with them. Bought them all kinds of fun things. Read books with them. Taught them. Enjoyed watching them grow and learn. And now I get to do all of these things with a child of my own. Sometimes I’ll just sit back and watch my daughter in awe at these opportunities. And then I’ll get even more emotional thinking about how quickly life goes by and I want to make sure I enjoy every moment. Recently, we went to Magic Kingdom and at the end of the night, we picked out a Minnie Mouse toy for my daughter. I’ve always let my nieces pick out something special and now, the idea of getting to pick out something special for my child made me giddy! While planning my daughter's first birthday, I loved getting to pick out a birthday outfit for her! We started a tradition of wearing matching PJs on the night before her birthday. All of the things I have seen my parents do for us, and all of things I have seen my sister do for her daughters, I get to do for my own child!
What has this past year taught me? That I have a story to share with others. Everyone does. My daughter is a living testimony of God’s blessing and what He can do in our lives. More than I could ever have imagined. And He can do the same for you.
