Happy Birthday Sam!

Dear Sam,

I love this idea of having a birthday blog for you!

Paul and I met Sam and David at a support meeting for infertility in 2004. I think it was the spring, but to be honest, I don't know exactly when. That part of our lives is a bit jumbled. We both really enjoyed getting to know them and becoming friends, in spite the reasons that we were there. One day, in the summer of 2004, Sam showed up with some flyers sent from her dad. They were about adopting from China. There was going to be a talk given by a family (from what would become our agency) that had ACTUALLY adopted. We decided to go. We wanted to at least learn more about the process. The talk left Paul and I feeling relieved and we could see that adoption felt right for us. It felt like a light at the end of a long and depressing dark tunnel. And it must have felt that way for Sam and David, too. I have a really clear memory of Paul and Sam smiling and chatting as the meeting ended and saying, "Well, we know what agency we will go with!"

That one outing changed our lives.

A few months later, after more unsuccessful doctor visits, we decided to call CCAI, our agency. We continued to go to the support group and so did Sam and David. All four of us seemed to be more lighthearted at those meetings. We were excited to be moving forward. We started our paperwork and soon after, so did Sam and David. From December 2004 to March 2005, we worked together to finish the overwhelming task. I am sure we would not had been done as quickly, if it were not for Sam and her eagle-editing eyes. It wasn't so scary doing the paperwork with friends. It felt like we could do it. We talked about traveling together early on, I think in December. Our agency was really helpful in this respect and one of their representatives in China went to the agency there to request that we travel together. We toasted together on New Year's Eve to being home by the next, withour little girls.

Well, it took a bit longer and on January 30 of this year, we said our early morning hello's at the airport in San Diego. Sam wasamazing in planning the trip. I don't know what we would have donewithout her. We were in the middle of our condo getting termitetented, parent-teacher conferences at our school and just plainuneducated when it came to traveling and we were both really sick.It was her idea to go early to Hong Kong, an idea I will be forevergrateful for, as it is an amazing city. She came up with all kindsof fun things to do and we had our last big blast before flying tothe mainland five days later.

I know, this has gone on too long, but fast forward again toFebruary 6 of this year (China time). Sam, David, Paul and I aresitting on a bus leaving the metropolis of Chongqing for itscountryside. We have our diaper bags packed. We are in layers andlayers of clothes. We are listening to our guide, Marie tell usabout the city and the babies. I remember is her saying, "Twoscoops of formula and two ounces of hot water, and the rest coolwater. The babies can eat what you eat." I remember sittingacross the aisle from Sam and us nervously talking about what toexpect. I wish I remembered more, I was just too anxious. Withinthe next hour we would be holding our babies, all six of us cryingand overwhelmed with emotion.

Fast forward again to today. Almost nine months later, we arehome, watching these two little girls grow, amazed at how well theyget along. We are sharing stories about food being flung from thehigh chair, shoe sizes changing at an amazing rate, tantrums beingthrown and adorable moments happening in the midst.

I do believe that people come into our lives for a reason. InSam's case, it is for many reasons. I have a wonderful friend,supportive mommy pal, and mother to a girl who will share anamazing story with my daughter.

Being 40 can make one feel like life has been on fast forward. Ican attest to that. Let's just hope we can push the pause buttononce in a while.

We love you, Sam!

Mary, Paul and Joy