FOR HEATHER

When Kathleen and I went with you to your first ultrasound I was nervous. It was our first meeting together, you, me, and Kathleen, and I wanted it to go well. I was so happy at the way you and Kathleen were able to talk to one another. It seems so long ago now, and I can't tell you how wonderful it feels to have shared that first ultrasound with you. The room was a little cramped and I remember squeezing behind Kathleen when we all tried to get a look at the monitor. And then...there she was, I fell in love. I saw her little head and I looked to Kathleen and she looked back at me, and we both reached for one another's hands. I will always remember that and I want to say thank you for that unforgettable moment. Even when the technician said that she was only guessing that the baby was a girl, I knew at that instant that she was right. I think back on that first time I saw my daughter and wonder at it. Sometimes when you just leave things to God he answers in a way a person in their wildest dreams can't imagine happening.

I'm glad you got to spend time with Kathleen and I. I know when you went to stay with you Mom in Lemon Cove; the first night was pretty quiet at our house. Kathleen looked at me and said, "I miss Heather." So did I. We are fortunate to have you in our lives and Kayla will find that out as the years go by.

I promise to let Kayla know how much you love her. I'll tell her how well you took care of yourself just so she would be born a healthy girl. I'll tell her how her Grandmother would read to her at night so that she would know a familiar voice after she was born. I'll tell her how hard it was for you to choose someone else to be her mom and dad and to give her the things that you weren't able to at this time of your life. I'll tell her how her birthmother was one of the bravest people I know and how she looked outside of herself and thought of what was best for her baby.

I look at you, Heather, and I imagine what my daughter will be like. I imagine her being a strong person, a funny person, and an understanding person. I would be very proud of her if she turned out to share these qualities with you.

I promise to love Kayla, and be a good Daddy to her. I promise to play with her and talk with her and listen to here and to have her be curious and healthy and caring of others. I promise she'll know her Grandmothers and Grandfathers, all five sets of them, and all her cousins, and family friends who've loved her even before she was born.

Our child is a very special little girl. She's not even a week old, and she's touched so many lives. Thank you, Heather, although thank you is not enough. I will spend my entire life trying to be worthy of the trust that you've placed in us.