"An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet regardless of time, place or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle, but it will never break." ~Chinese proverb

Everything happens in fours for us! There are the little things like we are 4 yrs. apart in age or the fact that we didn’t start dating until 4 yrs. after we knew each other or that the 4th child’s file we reviewed would be our daughter’s!

Our journey began one day in the late summer of 1996. I met Todd at a Staples store the day before I left for college. As I walked down the aisle, this very cute young guy asked me if I needed help. I told him that I was meeting my friend for lunch that worked there. We remained acquaintances, through our mutual friend all through college until I finished school. The first week after graduation we went with our friend to the Sting concert and had a great time. I took the initiative and called him a few days after the concert. When he called me back he talked to my mom and she proceeded to tell him that I was at the tattoo parlor with my father. I think he was a little surprised! I know a little out of character for me but I like to try to new things and I wanted to do something special with my dad for the year 2000! Nevertheless, as my friends know, I ended up changing my mind on a dolphin tattoo as I had planned and got a Chinese symbol that meant “Destiny” on my lower back. A few hours later Todd and I had our first date in Wilmington that evening, July 17, 2000. We got married on our 4-year anniversary and began researching adoption agencies 4 yrs. after that. Todd and I were destined to meet and fall in love and we are truly each other’s best friend and just love being around each other. Todd works from home now so we really are together 24/7 and love every minute of it!!! I think Pooh Bear sums it up best, “If you live to be 100, I hope I live to be 100 minus 1 day, so I never have to live without you.”

Why Adoption and Why China?

The simplest answer is, “because that is where our daughter is!” As a child I was always intrigued with the concept of adoption. When I was five I was in a bookstore with my mom down the beach and saw a book entitled adoption. I asked my mom if I could have the book and she said sure not really knowing where this curiosity stemmed from. What began with a little 5 yr. old’s inquisitive mind exploded into something much greater then anyone would have guessed. Growing up, as my best friends, Deanna and Angela were pretending to be pregnant stuffing pillows under their shirts I would sit back and say that I was waiting for my baby to come to me. I remember being sixteen and sitting in my History class when the teacher began to talk about China and how for the most part there is a total disregard for women’s rights. We continued to learn more and more about their culture and China’s one child policy act. I will never forget the pictures of the children on the streets, the overcrowded orphanages with sickly, frail children or the mothers’ faces that were filled with anguish because they had given up their babies unwillingly. It was at that moment something clicked and I picked the country that we would eventually adopt from.

On my second date with Todd I told him of my deserve to adopt. I expressed how it was just something I knew I was always meant to do. Todd grew with me into this wonderful dream and he can’t wait to have a little girl in the house.

Adoption is not for everyone but how lucky for those that are willing to have an open mind and open heart to accept a child they know nothing about. Our faith has always carried us through the tough times and I know it will not be easy but destiny has brought Todd, I and this little baby girl together forever. It is wonderful to finally have a lifelong dream come true.


'Now faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.' ~Hebrews 11:1