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ourtangledwebb

The day I met my children

Updated: Nov 1, 2022

In May of 2020, 2 months into the pandemic, and 2 months after we started working from home, we got the call that would change our lives forever. Ryan and I had been licensed foster parents for almost 2 years, and while we were called many times, we were never chosen. We were never together when they called us, and we either missed the call altogether because of work, or we couldn't get ahold of the other to confirm we should put our profile in. This time was different. We were together in the kitchen when the call came in for an emergency placement of 2-year-old twins. We always saw ourselves starting with one child, but because we were home all the time, and we figured twins would keep each other busy, so we said yes. A few minutes later, our case worker called us back and said, "They chose you! They will be at your house in about an hour!" We had a moment of panic, gathered our thoughts, and we each called our managers. Letting them know that we needed the remainder of the day off, sharing the news that twins were moving in....in an hour!


We immediately went to target to get supplies. I prepped Ryan, my money saving husband, that he would not like the amount we were about to spend! When we arrived, we each grabbed a cart. I sent him to the food section for cheerios, fruit, and other toddler friendly foods. Full disclosure, we had no clue what a 2-year-old would eat and were totally winging it. I ran to the baby area and grabbed pajamas, a couple pieces of clothing for each, diapers (I picked a random size...we had no idea what size they were in), a pack and play as we only had a crib and didn't know if we needed beds or cribs moving forward, but knew we needed something for that night, and two car seats. When Ryan and I met back up, we grabbed 2 stuffed animals, and a few other small toys. A few hundred dollars later and we were on our way, and most definitely without all the things you need for two small children. Don't worry. Target and Walmart saw us a lot of the course of the next week as we discovered things we needed!


On the drive home, we received a phone call that they were almost to our house, and that they were in fact not twins, but an 11-month-old, and a 2-year-old. I remember her asking if we were still interested, and I asked Ryan, but in the same breath told her yes. I was finally a mom, and I wasn't giving that up for anything.


We arrived home minutes before they arrived. As I walked outside to the social workers car, I saw the sweetest little toes poking out of the car seat, and I almost cried. She took Vivi out of the car and handed her to me, and she immediately snuggled in. We then went around the car to a sleeping little boy who had the most precious little cheeks I had ever seen. My little Lucca. In that moment, our worlds changed forever. All four of us. We didn't know it then, but it was the day our family began.

Vivi in the bouncer!


We took the social worker on a tour of our home, so she could confirm it was a safe space for the kids, and she left. We knew that we needed to go back to the store because we didn't have food, diapers or clothing for Vivi, but we also had no idea how to install the car seats. Ryan went alone, and I stayed home with the kids trying to keep myself calm so they would stay calm. I made soup (that was a terrible decision) and fed them cheerios and soup on the kitchen floor because we also didn't have a highchair. They took turns sitting in my lap, eating, and snuggling until Ryan got back.

Lucca playing outside

We then went outside to play, and Lucca kept calling us mama and dada. We tried to get him to use our first names, but that was all he would say (We didn't know then, but it was almost all he could say.) We were told that is the role we are filling, and to let the child lead, so we did. They both fit right in. It was almost surreal how seamlessly they went into this change. A defining moment in their lives, a moment where their entire world was rocked, but they were too young to know. It was as if they had always lived in our home. As if we were always a family.


Most people imagine the day they meet their child to be the day they give birth. I may not have had the pleasure of growing my children, and birthing them, but that doesn't make the day I met them any less special. The day I met Lucca and Vivienne was one of the greatest days of my entire life.

xo,

Mandi

Lucca and Vivienne a few days after arriving in our home






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