Two years ago....

* Two years ago...I was just starting my adoption journey. Decision made, agency chosen, application accepted, just waiting on the Ethiopia program to officially get underway.
* Two years ago...in a little tiny village of Eteye, Ethiopia a beautiful little girl was born to a single mom of a 3-year-old.

* Two years ago...I was starting my 9 month journey to motherhood, praying that time would move quickly.
* Two years ago...an incredible woman knew what she was facing and praying time would slow down.

* Two years ago...my only worries were what to make for dinner, when to let the dog out to pee, and a huge stack of paperwork.
* Two years ago...that same single mom was worrying about food and shelter and basic survival…how she could provide for this tiny baby.

* Two years ago..my baby girl was born without me. I missed it. I wasn’t there. But she wasn’t alone. She was caressed, she was cuddled, she was celebrated, she was loved.

To Mari's first mom:
I wonder if you think of today with tears in your eyes and pain in your heart. I wish I could somehow ease that for you. HB, you are an incredible woman and your little girl is beautiful. Your courage steals my breath and makes my heart ache, one day we will return and you will see your courage and your beauty shining through your daughter. My only hope is that I can raise her as well as your greatest expectations. She is your dream. She is my dream.

Cradled in the arms of love, here and afar.

Happy 2nd Birthday, Amari!