On Friday, I watched you bounce around and got to hold you for the first time.

On Sunday, you told your foster mom that you had a best friend. You said it was me.

Today, you learned that my name isn’t just Kathy - It’s Mommy Kathy. One day soon we’ll get to drop that last part.

Tonight, you clutched the photo book I made for you so tight to your chest, even after we had already read it four times.

We played during bath time, laughed over ice cream, and even sang a song together. Tomorrow we’ll get to play more, and even go for a ride. Next week you get to come visit my house, and slowly we’ll continue to introduce the idea that I am Mommy - your forever mommy.

And you, little missy, are my daughter. 

My kids did not grow under my heart - they grew in it. And today, I met them.

It’s not a line that most people ever say in their life. Usually it’s “today my child was born,” or something of the sort. But today, I got to look into the beautiful brown eyes of a little girl who is 4, a little boy who is almost 3, and another little boy who is 21 months old. They were each able to tell me their names, and a complete stranger introduced us. We won’t be strangers for long.

Today I met my children.

We played on the floor and rolled the ball around. Ben pretended to be a fireman with the boys and I talked about necklaces and hairbands with the girl. We sat for a snack, and I learned more about their likes, dislikes, and nap times. One boy fell asleep on my lap, another on Ben’s.

Today I met my children.

Next week we get to go back and spend more time with them, integrate into their lives for a few days before they come and integrate into ours. They’re gorgeous, and I can’t stop staring at the pictures.

Because today I met my children.