Crying In The Hallmark Store

So, I'm standing looking at birthday cards in the "Daughter" section of the Hallmark store when it hits me...I am standing looking at birthday cards in the "DAUGHTER" section...me...looking at cards for our daughter and the next thing I know I had tears running down my face.

To be honest, I never thought we would celebrate Lily's first birthday as a family. We anticipated that our daughter would be about 14 - 16 months old at the time of referral and about 18 months old when we met. Naturally I was a little sad that we would not be together for our daughter's first birthday...but knew we would be together for every birthday after that.

When we received Lily's referral we were shocked by how young she was. Then it hit us...not only would we be together for her first birthday...but many other firsts...her first step...her first words...and the list goes on.

We have been a family of 3 for a little over 2 months and sometimes I still can't believe it. It will hit me at odd moments...we have a daughter...we're parents...and literally it takes my breath away. Being Lily's mother is such an amazing experience...it fills a place inside of me that I never knew was there...much less empty.