WARNING: I've got a long post for you today with lots of my thoughts regarding my reunion with my sweet daughter along with a few pictures from the weekend. After that, I have a card to share which is one I made this week for Hannah and sent earlier this week.
Before we get to that, I did want to thank those who left comments about what might be wrong with my sewing machine and what I can do. I haven't had time yet to mess with it but I'm hoping to do so this weekend and I will report back.
REUNION UPDATE: We were able to spend Friday evening, all day Saturday and a bit of Sunday morning with my sweet Hannah and a lot of her family. We talked, looked at photo albums, watched a slide show that her mother put together for her Sweet 16 party, laughed, cried, shopped, hugged, and possibly cried some more. It was such a surreal weekend and I had to keep pinching myself that it was real, that the moment I had been waiting for, for so long, was finally happening. I truly believe that this was a miracle and a gift from God.
My sweet husband has spent many, many hours over the last several years putting all sorts of information out on many reunion websites. Because of that and Hannah wanting to find me, she was able to find my name, then go to my Facebook page and ultimately end up at my blog where she found my happy birthday posts that I have written each year on her birthday since I've had this blog. One of those posts had a picture of her 1st birthday. It was at that moment that she knew she had found her birth mother. Tears are welling up in my eyes now as I write about this and think just how miraculous this whole event has been.
What was very striking is how similar we look. Granted she is half my age and has dark hair but I think you will see the similarities. I loved every minute of the weekend and wish that it could have lasted much, much longer. Leaving was tough but I am looking forward to our new relationship. My sweet Hannah has a wonderful family who love and adore her. She was well taken care of and my heart is full knowing that I picked a good family for her.
My daughter is beautiful, gorgeous, spiritual, talented, kind, sweet, generous and perfect. I told I thought she was perfect and she said she wasn't. In my eyes, she is, though. Granted, I didn't have the privilege of being there during the teenage years which I know can be so challenging but I'm sure she was just perfect.
It was a weekend never to be forgotten and I can't wait until we can visit again. Hannah, I love you. Here's just a few pictures from the weekend. Thanks to everyone who has commented and emailed and given support. It truly means the world to me.
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| Me and my two beautiful daughters |
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| I never thought I would see the day when all 3 of my children were together -- what a great looking bunch |
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| My three kids having fun on the lake |
Thanks for letting me share. Now onto my card. Fridays mean a new anything goes challenge is posted over at Sister Act Card Challenge. Click here to link up your cards and for your chance to win a prize from the current sponsor.
I made this card to send to Hannah. She starts her sophomore year of college next week and I wanted to let her know I was thinking of her. LOVE YOU HANNAH!
My patterned paper comes from PTI's County Fair MIM kit. An older sentiment set and die cut from MFT (NLA) are used for the focal point.
Supplies not listed: Well Worn Greetings Stamp set and die from MFT, paper from PTI's County Fair kit
15 comments :
Oh my gosh, Alanna! What a special weekend for you and your daughter. I'm beyond thrilled for you that everything worked out so well for you all! She is beautiful. Your family is beautiful (I cannot believe how grown up Reynna looks!) Thank you so much for sharing part of this wonderful time with us. I hope your relationship grows into all that you want it to be. Wow!
Now your card is terrific, too. Oohhh, Hannah will love it, I'm sure. Love the bandanna background paper and the sentiment with the hearts is perfect!
Good luck with the sewing machine, too! :)
This is the most wonderful post I have ever ready...I am so happy your reunion was everything you hoped for...Hannah is beautiful and I am smiling from ear to ear!
Happy tears are flowing down my face!! I am so happy for all of you and so blessed your two families are embracing each other.
My sister has a daughter they adopted at birth. She is 35 years old but has never shown any interest in looking for her biological Mom. My sister waits quietly with a few small bits of information that might help her find her birth mother if she ever desires it. I often think of that birth mom and pray that she is not searching - hoping to be found.
I believe in adoption because I have seen it work! it is a brave thing for a young Mom to do. You are brave Alanna : ) I'm so happy for you all that Hannah found her way back to you.
BIG (((Hugs)))
Patti
p.s. Your card is sweet too! loving that bandanna
Alanna, what a wonderful story with such a happy ending! You are very blessed!
I'm so happy for you, my sweet friend! Thank you for sharing your incredible reunion story. As always, beautiful card!
Hi Alanna (apologies if you get this twice) your card is beautiful but what is even more beautiful is your story. Thank you so much for sharing it with us. I am so happy for you that everything went well xx
Alanna, I am weeping tears of joy for you and Hannah! What a wonderful story filled with LOVE! Your children are beautiful together, too! Wow!
Love the card, but I am much more excited about your big news!!! Hugs!
Oh gosh! I can't see the pictures because my eyes are all full of tears! Seriously this is the most wonderful thing! I am SO happy for you and your daughter and family! I just think this is wonderful! Your card is beautiful as always, but the photos or you and your kids outshines it :) ((Big hugs))
i love stories with a happy ending, hooray for all of you
Beautiful card, but oh my goodness, what an awesome reunion you had! I am so glad you got pictures of all THREE of your children! You will cherish that for years to come. God Bless You!
Oh Alanna, I have been thinking about you and hoping that everything went well. It really is a miracle to think that Hannah saw your birthday posts and found her way to you! My heart is lighter for reading your wonderful post and trust that others who have gone through similar heartache will take hope from it.
Hugs
Carol x
What a fabulous post. I have tears in my eyes!! How wonderful that you got to meet your daughter. She is beautiful, as are your other two children.
I also love your card. That background is so fun and I love the colors that you used. Great design!!
That was a lovely recap of your joyous reunion with Hannah, Alanna! (I love that you both have "anna" in your names.) I am so very happy for both of you! And your card for her is so perfect. I know she will start a keepsake box and it will fill up with all the beautiful cards you will be making for her!! Hugs, Darnell
This is as good as it gets! Thank you for sharing your beautiful story of choosing life for your daughter. I love that you did a birthday post for Hannah each year,she must have been so happy to,know how very much you loved her all along. Can't help but shed happy tears at the thought of how you must feel having all three of your children together! God bless all of you! He has!
I read this post when I was on vacation, because I could not wait to see it, but had to wait until I got home to comment. I am so very thrilled for you and your entire family. What a fantastic reunion, and the beginning of something new. You all are so beautiful and similar looking. What a wonderful blessing that you have finally had a chance to meet. Mazel Tov to you all!
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