Reese

Reese, today you are one year old. This weekend we celebrated your special day while you were surrounded by friends and family. Everyone that loves you most in the world was there. All except for two.



Two people, who will play a big role in your life without you even knowing it, your birth parents. You see, bug, you didn’t grow in mommy’s belly, you grew in Keely’s belly. She took you in and took care of you before you were born. She felt your first sign of life. She was the first one to hear your heart beat. She was the one that you kept up at night while you kicked and hiccuped inside her. It was her voice you heard first. Her voice that told you that she loved you and would forever. And ever. For nine months, you two were connected in a way that I will never know. You were there with her always. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Keely gave you that smile, those pouty lips, your little laugh, that beautiful head of blonde hair. She gave you long fingers and two big toes that continuously curl upward. She gave you your curious nature and your ability to work a small crowd and make them love you instantly.

Your birth father, Tim, gave you your love of adventure, sense of humor and beautiful blue eyes. We often hold him responsible for the times you take off in a high speed crawl down the hall while we chase after you or when you climb up the stairs faster than I could ever imagine you should. You are an independent spirit and so full of life. You have received all of these wonderful traits from your both of your birth parents.

But, perhaps the greatest gift they gave you, is the one I never saw coming. When they placed you with your daddy and me, they gave you the opportunity to have a big brother. I know it sounds strange to say that Henry might be the greatest gift, but hear me out. It’s unexplainable, the expression on your face, when you see him for the first time in the morning. Your little eyes just light up and begin dancing right in front of me. I know it’s typical for the younger child to look up with fondness to their older sibling, but somehow I feel this is different. At such a young age, I could see love registering on your face. Love. It’s so powerful, and I see it whenever you see your brother.


Sometimes I catch the two of you playing together in your room. I watch Henry as he hands you toys and describes them to you. Sometimes he steals them back from you, and then some. It just doesn’t matter to you, little bug, you still have the same look of adoration on your face as you watch him.

Yes, there are times, more often than not, that he complains that you are too loud or he protests if you even so much as look in his general direction. But, little girl, there are so many times, when he hears you fuss that he bolts into his room to grab Lightning McQueen, his most favorite toy of all, the very one he keeps out of your reach. He hands it to me and tells me “Reesie wants this. This will make her happy.”

Reese, I’m so happy you found us. It took a strange twist of fate, a long journey to the Rockies and two people who loved each other very much to bring you to us. My life changed the day I opened that deli door and saw your birth mom standing there waiting to meet us. She had your little grin, your nervous giggle and your contagious laugh. As we talked over lunch, she ran her hands over her belly and talked about you and her as “us” as a “team“. I loved that you two had a bond already.

I can’t bear to know what it was like for her those last few days or weeks before you were born. My heart doesn’t dare to go there. I can’t imagine her journey knowing that she would soon have to say goodbye and trust someone else to love you just as much as she does.

Reesie, today is your day. It always will be. But every October 14th, a piece of my heart will be tugging for someone else. Someone who loved you, someone who was brave for you, someone who stood up for you, someone who protected you and someone who took care of you before I could. Reese, it is my wish, that somewhere in the back of you mind, you will always hear Keely’s voice whispering that she loves you forever. And ever.

Happy Birthday, Reese. I will love you forever.
Love, Mommy & Mama Keely