A little over a year ago, my friend, Betsy, invited me to join a small online message board of moms and moms-to-be who had each struggled with their fertility. What an awesome group of women! Most had known each other for years, but they made me feel so welcome and at home.
As I was sitting at my desk this past Friday, I noticed someone coming in the office door. To my absolute surprise it was Beth, Alicia and Kristin from the board! They had driven from Tennessee and southern Virginia to surprise me and celebrate our adoption! (And kidnap me for the night! hee-hee) I found out all of the online ladies had been planning a surprise gift for us for almost a year...long before we even knew if we’d be able to adopt Matthew. Beth, Alicia and Kristin began to gather information about me and where I worked. (Dave had been keeping that secret from me for 2 weeks!) They hand delivered the gifts from the group...roses, a gift card for family portraits, a book of poetry about sons, a gorgeous mother’s bracelet (handmade by Irish), a poem that Mandy’s mom wrote for us, (I will have to share it here, it is beautiful!), a hand painted piggy bank for Matthew (made by Jenni) and a cool automatic bubble blower from Kristin’s son for Matthew! There was also a card that the ladies had all signed! It had been all over the US and also to Canada and England!
I couldn’t believe they were here! I kept asking them where they were going, I just couldn’t fathom they would come all that way just to surprise me! :o) It was the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me!
I found out they had set up a secret area of the message board that everyone could see except me. Kristin unlocked it, and I have been able to read all the posts and plans they had made. I sat and cried as I realized how blessed I am to have made these friends! Friends that would go so out of their way to do something so special for someone they have never met! Friends that are genuinely excited to share in our adoption! It’s truly an honor to know you Kristin, Alicia, Beth, Siobhan, Becca, Jacki, Margot, Laura J., Laura B., Irish, Jenni, Mandy, Rebecca, Wendy, Vonda, Kathy, Amber, Jilly, Trish, Esa, Julie, Dee, Tiffany, Elizabeth, Lindsay, Julia, Sharon, Christine, Reese, Celinda, Becky, Andrea and Betsy. (I hope that’s everyone!)
Alicia, Beth, Kristin and I had such an awesome time Friday night and Saturday! I feel like I have known them forever! I’m surprised my face wasn’t sore from smiling and laughing so much! What a fun girls night out! Dave was so sweet and didn’t mind that I stayed with the girls at the hotel. He and Matthew met us after breakfast Saturday morning. I can’t wait to get together with them again and also meet the rest of the ladies!
Alicia, Kristin and Beth (I love you, girls!)
Breakfast at Bob Evans
Kristin, me with Matthew, Beth and Alicia
3 comments:
I am still jealous that they got to go surprise you! That would have been so fun :)
You so deserved it!!! I only wish I was able to be there to see the look on your face! Hugs!!
I just wish we could have all been there to suprise you! You so deserved it Cindy!!
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