They Say That Good Things Come to Those Who Wait...

A few people have asked me why Ryan is smiling in spite of his black eye in the photos included with the previous post.

Well, I think it’s because we have some happy happy news.

On February 7, as I was driving home from a typical day at school, I got the best phone call I have ever received.

I don’t remember the exact words that the caller used.  Something like, “My name is Katie, and I am Ryan’s second cousin, and I read about you guys in Ryan’s mom’s Christmas letter, and I’m pregnant, and I want you to adopt my baby.”

I nearly drove off the road. 

After a few seconds to let her words sink in, I sputtered out an awesome and articulate reply--something like, “Oh, wow!  That is wonderful!  Thank you!”  (Inadequate, I know, but really, what can you say to the most important words you will ever hear in your entire life?)

One month later, after exchanging dozens of emails with Katie, talking on the phone to her, her mother, and her boyfriend, Drew, (who is totally supportive and awesome), and planning a trip in just a couple of weeks to meet them and go to an ultrasound with her, we are ready to announce:

We will be parents in August 2011.

The depth of our happiness cannot be expressed.  The depth of our gratitude to Katie cannot be expressed.  She is the most selfless, sweet, mature, open, amazing young woman we have ever had the privilege to know.  Really, she is.  She has invited us to be a part of her pregnancy and her life; she has sent us ultrasound videos with descriptions of what is going on in the images; she has communicated so honestly and sensitively with us, never keeping us waiting or playing with our emotions.  In fact, the first time I spoke to her on the phone, she said that she’d read our blog and seen that we’ve had a lot of adoption disappointments—so she’d waited to contact us until she was totally sure of her decision.  She and her boyfriend have talked to everyone involved, including their parents and a case worker with LDS Family Services, and they are certain that they wanted to proceed with an adoption plan.

How can years of pain be washed away by one conversation with a selfless sixteen year old girl whom I have never met but love more than words can say? 

We want to thank both Katie and Drew for the gift that they are giving us.  We cannot wait to meet you both, and we cannot wait to meet our baby in August.