Team Ethiopia

Last weekend I had the remarkable experience to meet Tia and Dedra, the two women my best friend Aimee traveled with to Ethiopia when she brought her daughter home. They call themselves Team Ethiopia and it was so rewarding to meet their families and see how their children are doing.
Both Tia and Dedra adopted three children each and as single moms they were very inspirational! We spent the weekend in Atlanta and I had a chance to really get to know their children ranging in age from infancy to 9 years old, I do believe.
Little 5-year-old Kalkidan, who is a con according to her mother, had me wrapped around her finger instantly. Her little smile could light up a room, a house and maybe an entire city. She is the youngest of three and knows how to play the role amazingly well. The other children are equally charming and spent time helping me with the Amarhic alphabet. It was sheer joy just to watch the children and I spent most of the weekend observing and soaking it all in. As well as dreaming about my own journey into motherhood.
I just wanted to publicly thank Aimee for including me and Tia & Dedra for being such amazing hostesses. There was not one time during the whole weekend that I felt like an outsider and that is the mark of true friendship. I hope what began last weekend will continue long into the future. I truly feel blessed to have had this experience!