To My Daughter Rachel

Rachel came into my life in a very unusual way. She was already a wonderful young lady and I knew her through other former Amish young ladies I met at Joe and Esther Keim's prayer meetings. I tutored Rachel for a little time, and through that, we became good friends.

One evening, just as I was leaving her apartment, she asked if she could chat with me. She asked if my husband and I would become her adoptive parents. Since she is not allowed to have much contact with her Amish family, she had no one to support her in her adult life. We were honored and thrilled! My husband and I became Mom and Dad to her and then in-laws to her new hubby, Eli.

In the short amount of time we have been family, she has grown in my heart like my own daughter. Her sweet temperament, shy smile, (and sometimes ornery grin) have blessed me in many ways. I love her laugh and her sense of humor. She is a smart gal and has fantastic skills as a young wife.

She sends the most wonderful cards, shares the most wonderful smiles, and each time we are together, a great contentment grows in my heart in her presence. She is the "little" girl I never had. How beautiful that God brought us together!

Rachel is proof that love knows no boundaries and family has more than one definition. So Rachel, thank you for asking us to be in your life. We love you (and Eli) very much!

I didn’t give you the gift of life,
But in my heart I know.
The love I feel is deep and real,
As if it had been so.
For us to have each other
Is like a dream come true.
No, I didn’t give you The gift of life,
Life gave me the gift of you.
– Unknown