Meeting Kennedy (chapter 4)

The trip to Tulsa was an interesting one, to say the least. We flew just 5 days after 9/11 and the airport was basically deserted. I love to fly, but because of the obvious saftey issue combined with the fact I was going to have dinner with the mother of my child, I was a nervous wreck. Of course, there was the "pro", in that all 7 passengers had their choice of an entire aisle.

I called Jenn* on the way to the hotel and she was walking circles in the mall like a mad woman on a mission. She was determined to go into labor while we were there. You can see now, why we hit it off so well. She's a complete goof as am I. We would meet in 2 hours at a local restaurant and I have never been more excited in my life.

We were waiting outside the restaurant when she arrived. She had a glowing, contageous smile and we hugged and shrieked with delight like 12 year olds. Then, Jenn* took my hand and placed it on her tummy. "Meet Kennedy. She was yours from the beginning." I can't put this precious, priceless, once in a lifetime moment into words. Its a feeling that I wish everyone could experience at least once in their lives. We shared a bond...a mother's love for this baby. What a blessed child to be loved by two mothers.

Dinner was fun and easy. The three of us talked like old friends. When Kennedy kicked, Jenn* grabbed Chris's hand and he felt our baby move for the first time. This was truely a union only God could orchestrate. When Jenn* found out she was pregnant, she felt she couldn't emotionally, physically or finacially support a baby. Jenn* wanted her to have a mom and a dad who had longed for a child, but couldn't conceive. She wanted to give someone else the precious gift they couldn't attain without her. Her family and friends were extremely supportive of her decision and were all looking forward to meeting us.

Before this night, Jenn* wanted a semi-open adoption. She chose to receive annual updates and pictures through the attorney and we respected her wish. But, as the afternoon progressed, as did the bond, I told her that she could have as much contact with us and Kennedy as she was comfortable with. I honestly couldn't imagine not having her in our lives. Our family and friends didn't understand and were not supportive of an extremely open adoption, but we knew our hearts. She, of course, felt the same way. After the longest dinner in history, we went our separate ways with plans to spend a day at the zoo together the next morning.

We picked up Jenn* and wandered through the park, simply enjoying our time getting to know each other. That night, we met Jenn*, her boyfriend Brandon*, her mother Ann* and her stepfather Jim*. Jim treated us all to dinner at a nice restaurant and we talked easily, even about difficult topics. We were honest and open with each other and everyone felt peaceful and at ease with the adoption plan.

Our weekend with Jenn* and her family was the beginning of a journey we would experience together, all for the love of a child.