I couldn't get past my hopes. They felt like impossible expectations. A baby. Just one. We didn't care if we were given boy or girl. We didn't care what he or she looked like. We just wanted to be parents.
Then, it finally happened. An afternoon in August brought us Baby Boy.
I've said it a million times. He's perfect for us. And he's so good. So patient. So determined. So good natured. So far healthy. I'm biased but he's a doll to boot.
We didn't even know to hope for all we got.
We got a second family. For lack of a better comparison- A sister and brother/aunt uncles. Nieces and nephews. Grandparents. A melting pot of love. Deep genetic ties meet environment, his parents in the trenches.
We meet with open arms. We acknowledge each others' roles in Baby Boy's life. He looks just like them. He's our baby. They brought him into existence. We brought him into the world. We all struggle to find adequate words but the English language has none. However, words are not needed to know what is in our hearts. Two families are forever tied together, brought to each other through pain and struggles.
We took Baby Boy to the West Coast last week. His second trip to the home of his genetic family. And it's really home, home away from home. I feel comfortable there. I can curl up on the couch and share meals and explore with Baby Boy's genetic family.
My heart bursts to see Baby Boy grin at the woman he shares a warm complexion and blood type with, the man he shares hair color with, the children who, at any given time, he can seemingly morph to favor. Slivers of his genetic sister at one glance, pieces of his genetic brothers at other glances.
Blood type and physical features and DNA does not determine a family, but it's still important. It's noteworthy. None of us four adults know exactly how much it will mean to the kids one day, but we all believe it's best for them to know each other, to develop relationships, to have that open door.
I can only speak for Baby Boy. He might not ask questions about his original family tree. He might not want to know stories of his heritage. But this way, he can.
And he can be entirely loved now.
He can get an extra Easter bunny from a bonus grandma. He can have more hugs and kisses from kids who dote over him. He can have more adults cheer him on as he pulls up and sprouts his first tooth (time be still).
So I've received more than I ever imagined. And I believe my child has already received more than I ever imagined for him.
What a beautiful story.
Intricate details unfold.
A family tree expands.
Love is exchanged.
I thank God for blessing me in ways I never asked or imagined and certainly don't deserve.
