In February of 2005, a friend asked me (Katie) to go to our student ward’s stake dance with her. I wasn’t big into that kind of stuff, but decided it couldn’t hurt, and it was something to get us out of the apartment.
The same night, Justin’s friend asked him to “bring his ‘A’ game” to the student ward’s stake dance. He wasn’t super excited about it either, but obliged.
Ever been to one of those dances? If you have, you know that boy, do they get hot and stuffy! My friend and I decided to go outside for a breath of fresh, crisp, February air. On our way out the door, we were met by two boys (men?) who proceeded to invite us to the ice cream parties they held every day that ended in ‘y’. It was a strange conversation, but also a memorable one that would be talked about long after the dance was over.
When my mom asked me the next day if I met any cute boys at the dance, I responded that I met some guys that would be fun to hang out with, but certainly none that I would ever date (don’t stop here, continue reading).
The next day, my phone rang and the voice on the other end of the line asked me if I wanted to come to an ice cream party (it was Tuesda’y’, after all!). I responded that I had to work a graveyard shift that night, but as long as I could finish my ice cream and make it to work by 11pm, I would be there.
Justin picked me up at my house and, like a gentleman, opened the car door for me. He was so excited to get out of there that he shut my foot in the door! It could have been a sign of a difficult night ahead. However, the party went great, and that seemingly non-date-able boy seemed a little bit more date-able after spending more time with him. I made it to work on time, and that first ice cream party was just the beginning of many parties that culminated in our marriage in January of 2006.
When discussing marriage, children, and timing, we decided we didn’t want to wait a long time to have children. Knowing the troubles our mothers had getting pregnant with their own children, we wondered if we might have the same difficulties. We both agreed that the sooner, the better. About six months after the wedding, we really started trying to bring children to our family. Five years, many doctors, surgeries, procedures, medications, shots, and blood draws later, we have come to the conclusion that our best option to become parents to the children we want so badly, is to adopt.
We have considered adoption on multiple occasions and for some reason, until now, it hasn’t felt completely right to both of us at the same time. We feel blessed that now it feels right, our minds are clear, and we are ready and excited to dive head first into the process of adoption! We are excited to see what the future holds as we follow our hearts on this journey.
Wow….Congratulations!! As an adopted child who has come to KNOW that I came to the family I was meant to be in……well, it’s like putting your hand in HIS! I too had a difficult time conceiving and know somewhat of the tears, heartache, frustration, isolation and even (a little bit) anger that can come. But, in the journey of loving, accepting, caring for, laughing with, crying for; it is a matter of the HEART….what a lucky “little one” that comes into your home and especially your hearts…..LOVE YOU!