When Love Arrives

A Throughout my time on this blog, I've referred to a very special woman in my life as my "mom."  We have no biological connection, but we have a special bond that can only be explained as a mother-daughter relationship and, in our own way, it works for us.  Mom is a teacher and this time last year she was teaching math in Bahrain.  In case you're unaware, that's on the other side of the world.  Mom went to Bahrain looking for a lot of things.  She was ready for personal and professional change.  She was ready for an adventure.  She was ready to discover something new and exciting.  Sometimes love arrives and we are just supposed to welcome it...I think that's what she did.  When my mom met John, a charming member of the United States Coast Guard, I'm not sure she knew what he was going to become to her or how wonderful he actually was.  All I know is, of all of the things she was looking for in Bahrain, a husband was not really on the list. 

A few months ago, I was sitting at my kitchen table, working on some math homework, texting my mom for help on some of the problems.  When I was finished she said, "Now I have a math problem for you: if you're going to be a big sister in September, how far along am I?"  It was the most incredible news our family could have gotten.  I am her daughter, but she acquired me.  I am hers, but she did not carry me.  She did not watch me grow from infant to adult.  If there's one thing in this world that would make her life matter even more than it already does, it's motherhood.  The chance to bear her own children.  We celebrated!!  

Today, I was able to have breakfast with mom and John one last time before I head off to Disney World to start my own adventure and one last time before she's forbidden to fly for fear of pregnancy complications.  At breakfast I was given a gift.  Mom coolly pulled out a framed photo of the most recent ultra sound and announced baby Veit's gender and name.  The gift was not the photo nor the frame, but rather the name.  Maryam Leah Veit.  In September, my little sister will enter the world.  She will have adoring parents that will teach her to be brave and kind.  She will grow to be strong and imaginative.  She will think for herself.  She will be curious.  She will be beautiful.  She will be perfectly imperfect.  She will be loved far greater than she will ever comprehend.

I still don't have words for how I feel about being apart of baby Mary's name.  I am so incredibly honored!  I never expected to be thought of in that way.  It's a big deal to name a child.  You carry your name with your for the rest of your life.  I hope that I can be everything a good big sister should be for baby Mary.  Even though Mary and I will have no biological connection, and many of you will never understand, we will be every bit as much related as if we were actual sisters.  I am so excited for her to be here!  I am so excited for all that comes along with having a newborn around!!

This September, once again, love will arrive in the lives of my mom and John.  Except this time, it's a little more expected.  Congratulations guys!  You will be the best of parents - you already are!  And Welcome to the world, Maryam Leah Veit!  There are so many people that already love you so much, little princess!