Evie’s arrival in 2015 brought joy back into our home. We lost our daughter, Laura Grace, in 2014 to an unknown genetic disorder. All three of us – myself, my husband, George, and our son, Van – felt unmoored. Van was a big brother who had lost the sister he loved to hug and kiss, sing to, and snuggle with. He had so much love left to give. We all did.

Evie has been sunshine since day one. She loves to laugh, especially at her own jokes. She has never met a stranger! Our new next-door neighbors credit her with helping their family meet other neighbors. Her charm and warmth are impossible to resist, and her kindness is abundant and authentic. She looks up to Van, always happy to get that special attention only a big brother bestows. And she so fiercely loves her little sister, June, including her with friends, and rubbing her back when she cries.

We are forever grateful for Evie’s brave birth mom, and we are amazed each day that she is ours.