Despite the pain, I decided to adopt them, fighting through judgment and endless questions about my decision. Over the years, we built a life together, but healing was slow. The girls struggled with trust, and as they grew older, the cracks deepened.
When they locked me out of my own home, leaving a cold note behind, I felt shattered. For a week, I waited and worried, convinced I had failed as their mother. Then, out of the blue, I got a call from Carrie, her voice soft and apologetic, asking me to come home.
What I found upon returning was beyond anything I expected. The girls had transformed the house, including a home office just for me. Their surprise was an act of gratitude and love, a way to acknowledge everything I had done for them.
“You chose us when you didn’t have to,” Carrie said tearfully. “You’ve been the best mom ever.”
In that moment, the pain and struggles of the past years melted away. Holding them close, I realized that love, even through betrayal and hardship, can lead to something beautiful.
We weren’t just a family formed by tragedy; we were a family forged by love and resilience.