Precious Girl,

I can hardly believe you are five. I remember the first time I saw your picture, being confused because we didn't expect our referral so soon, and having to call the agency to ask if they'd really meant to send us the information about you. They laughingly told us it wasn't a mistake, and we sat down to stare at you -- our daughter -- some more. The pictures showed a chubby solemn-faced child. During the wait for you to come home, I worried that you would be serious and withdrawn and fearful.

You were. For about three days.

And then you came out of your shell and began to light up our lives. You are the girl who at the playground immediately scopes out the place for likey children, and then asks me if you can go make some friends. Invariably within five minutes you are chatting up a storm and running around with another little girl happily in tow.

At the skating rink the other day, your big sister joked that you'd made friends with everyone there.

"Not everyone!" you said.

Big sister laughed. "That's only because you didn't have enough time to get around to everyone!"

You have a sense of style that is endlessly entertaining. Three outfits a day is the norm. Your bedroom floor is always littered with cast-offs by the end of the day. You're a girly girl, and yet when you ride your bike you like nothing better than tearing around the driveway at top speed and then laying a good long skid mark. You're also a pro on the monkey bars. You're strong and athletic and you like a challenge.

You're looking forward to having new big sisters in your room, because you're 'sick of being all alone'. Only a kid like you would feel all alone sleeping within 20 feet of five other people.

You are a perfect fit for our family and we are so blessed to have you in our lives. Happy birthday, sweet girl.

We love you so much.

Mom

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What a referral looks like
The child who was almost ours
The right child