Most of my posts have been about how great my kids are (they are), how challenging, but rewarding knowing their birthparents can be, and all those interesting little things about being a family by way of adoption. I realize now that I have forgotten to talk about one of the most important people in this whole story, The Good Guy who is my husband Jim.

When we first married eighteen (oh my gosh! How long?) years ago, the story of our future together was anybody’s guess. Of course we were in love, but many predicted that this “kind” of love would not with stand the long and sometimes difficult tests of time. None of those people had a clue. Well they had no idea where our little journey was going to take us, neither did we. I am sure a huge part of Jim being just who he is has helped our marriage survive, and allowed us to welcome the children we have in just the way that we did.

I read a lot of things about one person not “being on board” with when, or how to begin a family. Usually it seems to be the fellow, and for what reasons I am not completely sure. I am guessing that guys are just more reluctant by nature. More than one person that knows us thinks that about Jim, that he is reluctant. I am thankful Jim has never been reluctant or resistant about our becoming a family, or how we welcomed our children. He has always been right there with me step by step, and if he was ever thinking that this was scary, or not a good idea, he never let on.

I took this for granted until after we brought our third adopted child home and I was alone with his sister on a drive from the city and she made an interesting comment. She let me know that I should feel fortunate because if she had been unable to conceive (she has two beautiful children) that her husband would never have allowed her to consider adoption. Let me just say her husband is not at bad guy, but woah, her revelation made me appreciate MY GUY all the more.

I was the one who was infertile. My guy, never bemoaned the fact or belittled or blamed me. He held me while I cried about that terrible loss. He listened when I needed it. Finally when I was ready to move forward he held my hand to get me started. People who are not real close to us might not even know our reasons for never conceiving. To Jim we are a duo, a team and this is both our issue not just mine and that is what he shows the world.

When we were ready to adopt he accepted everything that came at us without reservations. He did not question what disabilities a child might have, what color they might be, or even hint as if he desired a boy, girl. He opened his mind and his heart completely (just as he had on our wedding day for me). He prepared as if he was already long ago prepared. To show just how un-wavering he could be, when we found out about our son he blew me away with his serene ease. You see I logged online one night and spoke to someone connected to the birthfamily, logged off and asked him if he might be ready for a third baby, he simply replied “Sure.” With him it has always been that easy, and as a result we have soooooooo many rewards in our life together.

If I have never shared it, or forgotten to say it, or just not talked of it often enough, I want to make up for it today!

Jim, Thank You for walking along side me in this journey we are on. You are SUCH a Good Guy! You have allowed me to find other ways to be joyful when life has let me down. You are a terrific Dad to all the little people we have been so blessed to bring into our lives. You always support me in everything I do. Sometimes I like to kid you about all those many grey hairs you have earned since we first were married, but now I am thinking they are little reminders for me of all the things you have done in my life. That’s a lot of hair, a lot of things.

What a Good Guy!

Happy Love Thursday Jimmy-Poo!