It’s taken a while for the Princess to feel like “mine”, and I’m sure if she could say something besides “bbbffffffftttt” and “da-da-da-da”, she’d say the same about me. Since the get go, I have done all kinds of motherly functions yet didn’t feel motherly. I define motherhood as the ability to enjoy kissing and snuggling up with a child, no matter how good or bad they smell. You see, all kids have a certain stink, and other people’s kids stink more than your own. That’s just the way it is. But about two or three weeks ago, I was changing a nappy with all its assorted odors and without being robotic about it—I leaned down and smooched my girl right in her neck. And it was right then that I realized “Hey! I kissed her just like I kiss the boys…automatically and with no mind to the slime and stink.” It was then that I knew she was mine.

Sweet Eliana is trekking right along with me in this journey called “family”. Though she doesn’t say “Mama”, I hear it in her heart. She’s glad to see me, cries when I’m out of sight, and just seems settled with the one she will one day call “Mom”. Safe, secure, and loved.