Almost a Year

I can't help but think about time this week.
A year ago seems like forever ago.

On Wednesday morning I met a lady who designs amazing cookies. I ordered cookies for the office, thanking them for a sweet gift for Baby M. I literally passed the sweets around and expressed my gratitude and I return to find my phone buzzing. 

It was one of the many texts I'd receive that day.  

The texts continued well into mid-morning and most were from our birth mother.  

The night before she had visited the hospital because of pains coming in and out, she was then sent home. 

Our birth mom refused to go back to the hospital until something actually happened. 

I finally get a text at 11:24 am. The text told me she was in unbearable pain and was at the grocery store. 

Then my phone lights up 20 minutes later,  it's the hospital and our birth mom is on the other end.
She's crying and tells me they've admitted her and she's in labor. 

I remember hanging up with her, sobbing in my office.
I pulled myself together and I went in my to talk to my boss.
He knew the moment I walked in, maybe it was my red eyes, my red nose or the fact that I was still trying to hold back the tears.
He smiled and said, "It's time, be safe and don't you dare worry about work." 

C worked nights at the time, so of course, I couldn't call him. I called the hospital and asked about the time frame and they said it could be 8 hours or so. I opted to wake C up myself. 

I remember walking into the room, he wasn't asleep. He was laying down, fully awake. 

I asked, "Why aren't you asleep?" 

He said, "I had a feeling, then I heard the garage door open, then I glanced at my watch."

I said, "Get up, we have to pack and get on the road. The time is here!" 

He laughed and just stayed in bed. I kept urging him to get up. 

He laughed and said, "What's today's date? Is it the 18th?"
I replied, "Yes, it's June 18th, why?"
He laughed again and said, "I can't believe she's going to share a birthday with Brent." 

I laughed and we were out the door in no time.  

C and I made the drive and probably said 3 words the entire drive. 

We arrive and we literally walk in the hospital with our keys and paperwork. 

I'm terrified. 

Every horror story I've ever heard about adoption could slowly start unfolding the minute those doors open. 

All the what if's started to cloud my brain. 

I called our attorney and told him I was scared. I remember him asking me if I was crying. 

I laughed and said, "of course." 

He said if anything went wrong, he'd be there within 2 hours. 

He told me to call no matter the time. 

We walked in the room and our birth mom's eyes light up. 

Until that very minute, she was alone. No one came to the hospital with her. 

I can still see her, laying in the bed, crying from the pain and she was alone. 

About an hour passes and I walk a guest out of the room, I figured it was a good time to get a drink, maybe a snack. I quickly find out this small women's center doesn't cater after hours, it's 5 pm on the dot and only vending machines are available. I'm walking back and I see a terrified C standing in the hallway. 

I glance over and he said, "Mercedes, she was in pain, I called the nurse, go in, now!" 

I walk in the room smiling and quickly get scolded by the nurse.
The nurse told me, "Look, if you want to see this birth, stay put!"
Within minutes, our birth mom went from pain to pushing. The doctor couldn't get to the room fast enough, our birth mom delivered our baby girl in one push, the nurse delivered Baby M. 

I remember the moment I saw her, the nurse glanced at our birth mom, then back at me. 

Then our birth mom pointed to me and said, "her first."
I asked the nurse to hold the baby until I could grab C.
We both walked in together and met her together. 

The next few days were a blur. 

Doctor visits, birth mom visits, sleeping schedules & uncertainty. 

Watching our birth mom say goodbye to Baby M, hearing her talk and seeing her hug her tightly is something I will never forget.
I remember her whispering to Baby M, "I did this for you, I did this because I love you."

Tomorrow is Baby M's birthday.
Tomorrow we celebrate with cake, donuts and some good meals, but I think she knows she's celebrated daily.

4 things I learned this year:

Family is Everything.
True friends are a gift.
God has a plan.
Generosity has a face.