I always wanted to be a mommy. My husband and I married in 2000 and planned to start our family a few years later. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t in the stars for me to get pregnant. After several attempts at all kinds of very costly tests and fertility treatments and absolutely no answers – I still don’t know why I can’t seem to get pregnant – I decided that maybe I needed to look at motherhood a different way.
I met Madelyn Rose while visiting a wonderful couple of foster parents to learn the ins and outs of the foster-to-adopt program for our county. The Herrera Family – now on their 102nd foster child – invited my husband and me to their home to talk about our options and share their experiences. I remember walking through the front door and there, sitting on the living room floor, was a 13 month old Madelyn. Now, I love kids, I’ve nannied, babysat, and taught my way through life, loving to see them grow and flourish, but I laid eyes upon that little girl and for the first time in my life, said to myself, “well, there you are…I’ve been waiting for you. I’m your mommy!”
Sounds crazy, huh? Everyone thought I was nuts as I did everything I possibly could do to get this little girl to be mine. I was told a million times that there were no guarantees, that her parents hadn’t lost their rights yet, that it wasn’t how this worked…but I didn’t listen, I knew she was my daughter. I met her in March of 2009, almost had her move to us in June, but there were delays, then finally thought we would get her when her parents rights were lost in August of 2009, but more delays. Finally, she was moved to us on Thanksgiving Day 2009! Of course, per law, we had to have her in our home for 6 months before we could officially adopt, so we were looking forward to the end of May. Guess what? More delays…we finally adopted Miss Madelyn Rose on August 3, 2010, almost a year and a half after meeting her. This kiddo had endured more in her 2 1/2 years than most kiddos do before graduating high school. She was confused and uncertain who to trust and was very afraid of being left behind. It took time, but she is now a vivacious, smart, talented little girl that I am incredibly grateful for every day.
If something feels like the end of the world or it seems like there are no more options, that your dreams can’t possibly come true…maybe the universe has other plans…
