Audrey came to us by way of a miracle. It is always a miracle when a child is born, but the way we came to meet her was even more miraculous. 

Brooke and I had been talking about adopting since we were dating. Ten years went by, and we finally started the adoption process last fall 2022. When we finished the paperwork and home study process at the end of January 2023, we were told to be ready to travel anywhere in the country to meet a child and to expect an average wait time of 2 years. But, instead, after a Monday evening phone call, 2 years became 2 1/2 weeks, and anywhere in the country became Memphis. Brooke and I were able to meet and hold Audrey an hour after she was born on February 13, 2023. She was the prettiest little baby, with long feet and piano fingers, which we knew were destined to play the piano one day. Her young birth mom clearly loved her so much, but with very little support, she made the impossible decision to place her for adoption. Brooke and I were amazed at her birth mom’s strength to make that decision for her. That is part of the reason we chose Audrey’s name, as Audrey means “strength.” 

Audrey was loved hard in our home. Norah and Claire provided what we referred to as “smother love.” They constantly wanted to hold her and hug her and kiss her and help with her bottle. Claire made sure she never went for want of a pacifier, and Norah always made sure Audrey had her “stuffy.”

Audrey loved us well, too. She was the sweetest baby. She hardly ever cried and loved being held next to our chests. She was a good sport, tagging along with our family to restaurants, to the botanic gardens, and even a Grizzlies game.

Looking back, I think Audrey lived the best 7 1/2 week life one could live. She was loved hard and loved us back. And maybe that’s why God placed her with us. We know He was in her miraculous placement with us in the beginning, and He is still in our lives now. Maybe it was because He knew there were two little girls in our home who would douse her in love from start to finish, and that’s what she needed. I’ll probably never totally understand this side of Heaven. But I know we can’t wait to see her running and jumping and laughing, and maybe even playing the piano when we get there. 

We have always known what a blessing it is to have Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital near, but that became even more evident during Audrey’s hospital stay. We were so grateful for the loving care received from the hospital staff and to be able to utilize the incredible facilities. Please help us honor Audrey  by helping to support Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital.