Sunday, June 27, 2010

To my son...

My dearest Nico...

Twelve days ago your papa and I recieved the phone call that forever altered our lives. It was a phone call we had expected to wait a year or two for and instead we waited only about two and a half weeks. That phone call let us know you were waiting for us and so we boarded a plane to Vegas to see for ourselves that indeed our dream had come true. There you were, snuggled in your birth mama's arms, waiting for your papa and mama to take you home. Since the moment you were placed in my arms, I have loved you fiercely. You are exactly what I have been waiting for and now this entire journey makes sense.

I want you to always know the unwavering love of your birth mama and I will forever be grateful for the time we were allowed to spend with her. You come from strength, commitment, passion, and love, and your papa and I will do all that we can to honor that everyday. You are the most amazing gift we have ever been given and so we will honor you everyday as well.

I hope we are always able to celebrate our similarities and remember that family has never been, nor ever will be, determined by color or blood, but rather by shared joys and an unwavering commitment to love each other every single day. I want the world for you - you should never be afraid to be exactly who you were meant to be. You are our dream come true, and even though you make funny faces when I kiss your cheeks and your lips repeatedley, I will do everything in my power to make all of your dreams come true.

Nicholas Brian Smith, I love you more than words can express. You have a circle of family and friends who have been waiting for you and who love you deeply and selflessly. I cannot wait to witness all that you become and I will always be your number one fan. You are our son through and through, and have been since before we even met you. We are so glad you are finally home.

Love,

Your Mama














Friday, June 4, 2010

Cousins

This picture of my niece Ana with her cousin - and my nephew - Alex brings me an unexplainable amount of joy. I didn't grow up with cousins of any degree. I suppose this is what happens when you live in Washington and everybody else lives in Florida and Puerto Rico. Yes, my parents were Cubans who broke the mold. In short, cousins have always been a fantasy of mine and to see this fantasy lived through these two makes my heart sing.