Sweet Child O' Mine

I'm grateful for the blessings in my life.  I'm especially grateful for this special girl who I love so much.  She is like a daughter to me.

Shortly after Sadie came into this world, I had the opportunity to spend lots of time with her as I lived with her and her mom.  I had endless love for that little girl and I felt a desire to help take care of her.

My sister tried to make it on her own for a while, but Sadie was eventually put into my mom's care and custody, which I'm grateful for.  I am also grateful that I still got to see her a lot.  I wanted to continue to be there for Sadie after I moved far away, but even though there was lots of time away, we are finally at a place in our lives where we can see each other as much we want.  I will always will be there for her; a constant and pure unconditional and unwavering love that is here to stay.

When Sadie was eight years old, I had to say goodbye to her indefinitely - seven years.  I moved to Utah so Chad and I could get married and so he could finish university.  It was difficult to leave.  I prayed about it and knew in my heart that Sadie would understand, and that I would live near her again one day.  I also felt that we would still see her a lot.  It turns out that we were able to see her at least twice a year, even with all those miles in between us.  She came to stay with Chad and I every summer for a month, and we got to see her almost every Christmas for at least a few weeks... still not enough time though.  I'll never forget that vision the day I moved and had to say goodbye.  On our way to the airport, my mom and I dropped Sadie off at school.  She gave me a big hug and said, "I will really miss you, aunty".  It broke my heart!  I watched her as she ran to the doors of the school with her adorable bouncing pigtails and her cute little Disney Princess jacket on.  I didn't know when I'd live near her again.

I'm so grateful for the love that Chad has come to have for Sadie.  He adores her... just like a dad who adores his daughter.  I love how wonderful he is with her.  He frequently talks to her on the phone, and asks details about how her life is going when she stays with us on weekends.  They love hanging out and getting frozen yogurt and DQ treats.  I love seeing them together and how much they enjoy their time together.

Sadie just turned seventeen, and with each year I'm proud of how beautiful and amazing she has turned out to be.  I feel more than blessed that God has directed my life where it is today and for blessing me with her.  I seriously couldn't have been blessed with a more wonderful "daughter" in my life.  She is beautiful, intelligent, creative, fun-loving, polite, caring and such a good and virtuous girl!  She has a way of making everyone she's around laugh, and she always brightens my day with her beautiful energy.  She's the best.  I love you, Sadie.

Sadie edited this picture and emailed it to me when we lived apart.  I thought it was the sweetest thing!