I had Jessica when I was just shy of 17 years old and I was instantly in love. She was such a joy to be around, always smiling and making me laugh. A few months went by, and I thought our life wasn’t terrible, but it also wasn’t enough.
Jessica was six months old when I took my friend’s advice and went to Adoption Options and looked through some files. I took three files home with me so I could continue looking them over, but they just didn’t feel like the right fit. Jessica and I spent her first birthday together, which was heaven for me, but I still knew there needed to be more.
Then a new file came in and I immediately headed over to Adoption Options. I read it over and looked at all of the pictures and I knew this was her family. We met a few days later and learned the connection was as perfect in person as it was on paper. Jessica even crawled over and hugged her soon to be mom. Although it was difficult I knew that saying goodbye was the best way to provide her with the life I couldn’t.
I thought about having her for one more Christmas, but then I decided it would be just as amazing for this couple and Jessica to share their first of many Christmases together. It didn’t always happen, but the plan was to see each other six times a year and see new photos of her every two months and on special occasions.
Fast forward to Jessica at the age of 11, our first phone call lasted for a few hours and we continued to talk and see each other over the years. I remember, fondly, her university reading week visit when she told me she was dating a boy who really wanted to meet her ‘tummy mommy’ so, on one of my visits to see her I met this young man, who is now her husband. I actually met my husband the same year they got married.
Now, we visit her and our seven grandbabies. She has said many times how fortunate she feels that her children have three sets of active grandparents, his parents, her parents and me and my husband. We plan to move to Alberta to be closer to everyone, but that won’t be until next year.
Jessica and I have been very active in each other’s lives since she was 11 years old, but as adults we text or chat everyday and in her words we are best friends.
I feel very fortunate that Adoption Options exists, otherwise I would not have been able to keep in contact and have all of these beautiful babies in my life, nor would I see the exceptional woman Jessica turned into.
Traci King