So, So, So COOL!

Adoption is wonderful for many reasons. Our two amazing children who joined our family almost 18 months ago (wow!), are the most obvious wonderful wonders. The second piece of awesomeness is how adoption brings families together. Families who’s paths would never have crossed if it wasn’t for the bond that we all share (in our case, it is the country of Ethiopia). Our connections go deeper than friendships. Our connections include a little bio sister (Little A) and their very best friend forever (BFF). It’s all very cool, of course, and as of tonight, it gets even cooler!

I am ever-so-grateful that our children and Little A have re-connected. Before they arrived home, Little A’s family sent us some pictures. The day before we left, we printed out a picture of their sis for each of their bedrooms. I will never forget their face when they saw Little A’s picture. There was no doubt whatsoever that M & B knew who she was. A month later, we brought them together for the first time since they separated (probably one year before). We were nervous. We weren’t sure if it was too early. We weren’t sure how they would react. We weren’t sure if they would understand that Little A will go home with her Mommy, Daddy and brother and they would come home with us. Now. 18 months later, it has never been a question. They ask to see her, they miss her, but they haven’t asked, “why doesn’t she live with us?” I actually think they understand.

M & B were home for maybe 5-6 months, when I hesitantly shared a few pictures with them. These particular pictures were forwarded to me, and included several other children from the first orphanage they were living in. They both studies the pictures, and pointed out one little boy. They explained to us in their still limited English that they were friends, and he lived across from them, so that when they opened their door, they saw his door. From that moment, I had a bit of a mission. But I didn’t know how on earth I was going to find their BFF. I thought of emailing the orphanage. I thought about doing this several times. I was also stalking our agency’s yahoo group. Maybe, just maybe, somebody would comment that they were adopting a little boy. And guess what? It happened. A woman on the board commented that she was adopting a little boy, around the same age as BFF. I emailed her. I also emailed her a few pictures (since I knew her son was at the same orphanage). Her son wasn’t BFF, but, she knew BFF’s family, and directed me to them. I emailed BFF’s family. They probably thought I was nuts. Here I am, convinced that our children and their son are best friends from their village. He wasn’t home yet, so we decided to keep in touch. After BFF came home to his family, I received an email that she had also shown him pictures, and he pointed out M & B. So, at least we know that they were friends, and likely were long before meeting at the orphanage. As months went on, we learned more. As their English improved, we learned more.

And then, amazing news. BFF was telling his Mom that M & B’s dad and his dad were brothers. This is something that hadn’t been discussed. I asked B, and she said, “I don’t know. I never asked.” M told me that his daddy and BFF’s daddy were “best friends.” So, we checked our paperwork. Low and behold, their father’s have the same last name, and our children’s father is listed as BFF’s uncle. Follow? They are 1st cousins!

I am still trying to process everything. I mean, what are the odds, that 4 children, all blood relatives, could be placed with 3 different families all living 45 minutes from one another. For those who don’t believe in fate, well, maybe its time to reconsider?