Daniel and Emma's Story
By Theresa McAndrews

Our adoption journey, or as I prefer to refer to it, our quest for a family began about 8 years ago. We did not have to wait long for the phone call that would change our lives. Just as we had been warned it would, it came at the least opportune moment. It was the first day of school during football season (my husband is a teacher and athletic trainer for Newton North High School. I never see him during football season other than in a sleepy daze). And, furthermore, I had started a brand new job that very day. Oh well!!!

We completed our travel preparations at breakneck speed, and left for Colombia on October 13, 1993. I packed enough diapers to cover every bottom from Boston to Bogotá! On the plane Bill tried to relax. On the other hand, I was completely out of control. For the entire duration of the flight I would lean over to Bill and say, "Do you know what he is doing now?" Bill would roll his eyes and respond patiently, "No, what is he doing?" I would then fill him in on every possible burp, gas pain, diaper change, and spit up that Daniel might be experiencing that moment, and also that Daniel was learning new baby tricks to show us. You must realize that our son was the smartest baby in the whole universe. Besides, Daniel knew in his heart that his very own mommy and daddy were coming to get him and to love him.

Two days later we went to Cran to pick up our boy. Walking down the path to the waiting area I saw Daniel. He was in the arms of his foster mother. He looked at me and I looked at him. The little sweetie saw us walk by. When he was placed in my arms, Daniel smelled like flowers. He was soft and sweet and warm. He made eye contact and grinned. About 30 minutes later when we were in our room and counting his toes and fingers he began to play with his daddy. Daniel was lying in his little bed smiling and reaching up for Bill, cooing and making all kinds of brilliant baby noises. Finally, after a warm bottle and clean diaper, our little sweetheart fell asleep. As new parents do, we just stood gazing at him. Wow!!!!!! is the only expression I can think of that describes what we were feeling at that moment. Bill looked at me and said, "You were right. Daniel knows who we are and that we belong together. We are a family for now and forever." It was one of many moments that will remain imprinted on my mind for all time.

Five years later we decided to increase the love in our home. We were ready to have another child. During one of our first home study meetings, Daniel introduced Vivian to his best friend, Eleanor. Eleanor said that she would be the big sister and Daniel the big brother. Daniel told Vivian the he wanted a little sister and so did Eleanor. He then asked if he could go out to play now and we said yes. He was half way out the door when he turned around. He looked at Vivian and said, "Write it down that I want a little sister please." Vivian did as she was told and wrote the words, "Daniel wants a little sister!!!!!"

Our voyage to Columbia was incredibly exciting. Daniel was quite beside himself about the flight and the travelling in general. The arrival at our hotel was truly heartfelt as the ladies who worked there remembered Daniel as a baby. He thought this in particular was really cool!

When we went to Cran to pick up Emma, Daniel insisted that he be the one to get her. "I'm the big brother so it is my job," he said with an unmistakable air of importance while rolling his eyes at me. He is already like his father!!!!! Well off he went and then walked in with this little bundle in his arms. "Mommy, Daddy, here she is. Our family is all together now. We're all here now. Could one of you take her, she is really heavy."

There you have it in the simple words of a five-year old. Our family is all here now. Emma fits like a glove. She has added a new flavor to our lives just as Daniel did and does every day. Those two can't get enough of each other. Daniel has become a baby-toddler expert. Emma would walk through fire for her brother and he would gladly carry her through it. We belong together. From the day Bill and I were born, we were meant to be Daniel and Emma's mommy and daddy.