As we finish week one of fostering a beautiful baby girl, the timing is ironic and beautiful – but that is a story for another day.

Today, we celebrate six years of Riley officially being an Eschbach.

First, I have to thank Nancy from Ordinary Miracles Photography for these amazing pictures. I can’t believe I never shared them. Not only is she one of the most incredible photographers I’ve ever met, she walked with me (literally) through this process. Every Wednesday morning, Riley and I would head over to her house and she would talk me through the legalese of adoption and guardianship and attachment and motherhood. She is still my sounding board and my ‘phone-a-friend’ for all adoption and teenage mothering issues.

He looks the same to me. Big dimples, amazing hair, and the bluest eyes I’ve ever seen make melt every day. And the freckles… oh the freckles. I tease him that I’m gonna kiss every single freckle. He acts annoyed with me, but then I see the dimple.

This has not been the easiest path I’ve ever walked. Adoption with attachment issues makes for some serious self awareness. Relearning discipline and replacing time-outs with time-ins were just the tip of the iceberg.

But I’ll tell you this. My sweet Riley has taught me how to love in ways that I didn’t know were possible (or necessary). He has opened an entire world of seeing and vulnerability that some may label oversharing and absurd. He has challenged me to rethink what family looks like, where last names don’t matter because we are all God’s children. He has given me new eyes to see the hope that just takes one persistent prayer to create a new life for someone.

My marriage is stronger, my love for children is fierce, my fear of being misunderstood is starting to vanish, and my need to be accepted is fading.

Oh Riley. We are so, so, so glad you are here. We love you a bushel and a peck.