Who knew where life would take us when we first met across the table at Adoption classes? We became the best of friends in a short amount of time and when I adopted my son you were there every step of the way. Two adoptions for you and another for me and quite miraculously all of our children got along which lead to group trips to places such as water parks and apple picking. This was good because often times your oldest son was the only one who would play with my oldest. Being a mom with you felt normal. A normal that I never felt with other moms and kids.

Thank you for all those days where my oldest screamed and ranted and raved and I called you crying while I held onto his door waiting for the aggression and anger to subside. The days where you took my youngest so I could work on getting better care for my son and our family. The phone call after phone  call, my crying and ranting hysterically. Your indignation on my part. The cards of encouragement and baked goods without the expectation of reciprocation. The stepping in to babysit when he got kicked out of summer camp. The time he got kicked off the soccer team and you bought him a trophy and had it engraved for him.

Then there are the times I have had to be hospitalized for depression. You stepped in and watched both my boys, came to visit me, brought me delicious non-hospital food and took every indecipherable call I made to you. You brought me cards and well wishes and helped to take my mind off how desperate I felt.  Thank you for always seeing the best in me and not taking my social anxiety as a slight against you.

As this Christmas season draws near I find myself looking back and feeling overwhelmingly thankful for all that is you. Thank you my friend.