little heroes

saturday was bliss....on so many levels.  the weather was finally perfect, which only added to the joy of it.  two other adoptive moms and myself agreed to meet for the first time with our kids at a wonderful park in Woodstock, a fairly central location for all of us.  Jeff remained behind with the rest of the crew, while AJ and i set out on a road trip.  i decided that all the wrestling tournaments have really turned this boy into a seasoned traveller.  he does road trips amazingly well....although, he seemed a bit perplexed initially.  ten minutes on the highway he asked "mom, hannah coming??"  "no AJ, it's just you and me today.  try not to be too disappointed that you've only got your mother with you, k?!" 
these two moms have beautiful kids who also came home to Canada around the same time as AJ.  they are close in age and completely adorable as well.  the especially special :) part is that our three children knew eachother before knowing us.  they hung out at the orphanage and transition home prior to ever laying eyes on their adoptive families.  they lived in the same room, perhaps even sharing the same crib now and again.  i wouldn't say they had obvious recognition of eachother upon meeting this past Saturday, but i definitely think they connected.  this is a connection all three of the parents really want to foster as our kids grow.  adopted kids need to have relationships with other adoptees that understand their beginnings.  as parents of these kids, we also benefit from sharing our joys and struggles and common experiences.  it is win-win...
win-win it was....and even a bit emotional to see these three running around, carefree and happy.  there's been recent discussion on an adoption forum about how these Ethiopian children are little heroes.  i completely agree.  for that matter, any child that comes from a place of hurt and a difficult beginning deserves "hero" status... all three have their own unique stories, their own personal experience that will shape their future and forever be a part of their identity.  but there is so much that is common in their journeys.  they each endured loss, pain, hunger and trauma...so to see them laughing and swinging and feeling such joy was a giant pleasure. 
after the park we met at a restaurant for lunch, and that proved to be equally entertaining.  i will not post any pictures in the interest of privacy for the other families, but their smiley faces were darling~ trust me. 
adoption is such a life-changing thing.  i feel immeasurably blessed by it.  one of the huge perks is the connection between adoptive parents who would never meet otherwise. i loved getting to know these moms and i hope this is the start of lasting relationships.  above all, i'm so thankful for our own little heroes...