[ocracoke]

There are a few days in my life that will forever stick in my memory. They are days that will have forever changed my life -- whether I knew it or not at the time.

I remember June 14, 1974 -- the day my bio dad died and changed everything.

I remember July 21, 2976 -- the day I moved in with my adoptive parents.

And I remember June 29, 2006 -- the day I knew I would be a mother. Three years ago yesterday at 3:30am I was sound asleep when there was a loud beeping noise. I reached over and hit the alarm clock. Only the noise didn't stop. I hit it again. But it still didn't stop. It was then I realized it was the phone. I picked it up and looked at the glowing green caller ID. 503? Where is area code 503? Oh my! That is Oregon. I answered -- trying not to sound groggy (not sure why because I am sure she knew I was asleep). She said, "All I know is that you have a daughter and what her birthday is. I know nothing more." And just like that my life changed. I had a daughter! And her birthday is 12-9-04. So that made her 20 months? No, wait that's not right. She was 16 months? No, that's not right either. She was 18 months! Trying to figure out age at 3:30am was not an easy thing. All I know is I had a daughter. No name, no health information, no idea where she is from (other than Ethiopia). But I had a daughter. Wow! Three years sure do fly by!

Samantha