A year ago today, I dragged myself out of bed and got dressed for work.
I'm not a morning person, but at least it was a Friday.
Friday's mean jeans and art centers, so, all in all, it was bound to be a relatively easy day.
I eat lunch at my desk.
I've never been one to sit in the lounge.
My phone buzzes.
Adoption Agency.
Message reads: "Can I call you?"
Oh boy. That's never good.
I mentally log all of the paperwork and pieces of training recently due.
I know we're up to date. We have to be! What did I forget?
The phone rings.
Emergency.
Two girls.
Respite. 14 days at the max.
Three and six years old.
My stomach ties in knots.
There was something different about this call.
I can't make a decision without my soul mate, so I'll have to call back.
I call him. I feel his stomach knot too.
We talk in circles and stop. Let's take an hour.
He calls back and we're taking them.
They'll be at our house At 5:00.
Oh, and the 3 yr old has a birthday tomorrow.
The afternoon was full of frantic text exchanges trying to locate and secure necessary items and plan a birthday party.
They arrive and cautiously walk into our living room.
We eat at chick fil a, lose a tooth, and go to bed.
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| First photo a few minutes after their arrival |
A late night trip to Wal Mart produces a birthday crown and gifts ready to be opened the next morning.
Three shiny and well sought out quarters are slid under Silverbell's pillow.
We went to bed as parents, never to wake up again without two little angels under our care.
At 7:45 AM four little feet patter across our bedroom floor: a birthday girl and a toothless wonder.
Today I slept in, a gift from my soul mate.
I got dressed and headed out for the day leaving two little sets of PJs eating cereal in our kitchen.
Everything about the scene was normal, natural as if this has been our reality longer than a year.
Tomorrow we celebrate another birthday. This time with a little more warning and planning involved.
There have been 365 days heavier, fuller, and sweeter than I could have ever imagined.
They changed my world.
They changed my role.
They changed my heart.
Just like asfter five years of marriage, I don't remember a life without my soulmate, I can't remember life before my Little Bit and Sliverbell.
