Friends

One of the huge differences between our many years of fighting the good fight (and losing of course) against infertility versus the last 2 years of our marriage in the adoption world is that infertility, and the shame that comes with it, can shut you off from the world, from your world, from your friends, from your family, from your joy.

But adoption?

Adoption opened up our world in ways we have yet to really take in a give thanks for in a way that really honors all it has done for us. One particular way has been the change in the size and liveliness of our circle of friends.

We've always had good friends, some from our past that we brought to the relationship and some we met after being married. But our circle has always been close-knit and sort of small. Since we've started on the adoption world we've really met some wonderful people, some that I know only through many many an email back and forth, some I've had the pleasure of meeting in person a few times and others who I've really developed a strong friendship with, in person, in email and over the phone.

Adoption, for us, has been different in that way. Each of the two paths was all about becoming a parent, but taking this path less travelled... well, we owe new friends to that rare path.

I think of the couple and their 3 kids adopted from China, I've always known but never knew, the half dozen or so people I've met through blogging/online groups and become great friends with, I think of the Yahoo CT group that allowed me to meet a great person nearby before we even moved to CT. I've had 'first dates' in airports, hospitals, baby showers and restaurants, every one of them resulting in new friends. Our journey to Magpie has enriched our life, our circle and increased our happiness. Imagine what life will be like when she finally comes.

Friday night we had one of those friends over (won't drop a link in, her blog is password protected) along with her family, though we were missing another mutual friend who was supposed to hang with Sam and I that night(Colleen, hope you're feeling much better), we still managed to have a blast, we made it a family night instead of a girls night out! Their daughter was a pleasure to have over and quite frankly was full of charm and personality. From dragging her booster seat around letting us know it was dinner time, to playing with the dogs and toys from my sister in law, to doing an impersonation of Supergirl with the help of E, it was all good.

Next thing I knew it was late, way past their daughters bed time and I was full of laughter and happiness from a great evening.

Enjoy the pictures. But more than that, to all our friends through adoption, let's not forget to give thanks this year for all that adoption has opened up to each and every one of us. We are fortunate indeed for the path we've taken, it has made all the difference.

PS - this last picture. What is it about guys? no matter where they come from, what they do for a living, their political or pro team persuasion, get them on a couch together and they all look alike.