I met the man who is now my husband over 2 and a half years ago. I know that that is a short amount of time, but it seems so much longer when I think of what we have gone through in that amount of time. At this time his daughter was 2 weeks old. His passion for his daughter and being able to give her every chance at an amazing life was one of the things that I fell in love with him for. From that moment on, we fought TOGETHER for full custody of her. At 2 months old, she was held by her daddy for the first time except the moment of her birth. I was present and crying right along with him. Lacie was born drug and alcohol exposed. She had been exposed to car accidents, serious falls, and lack of proper nutrition her entire experience in the womb. We started from scratch to prepare for her to come live with us the 2nd week we knew each other. On the day she turned 6 months old, we brought her home. She has called me mama from the beginning, but also knows my first name. I have only missed one court date out of more than 20, 4 doctor’s appointments out of 72. I nurse her to health; am there for the good days and bad days, and provide for her in every way I know how. She is my daughter in every sense of the word, minus that I did not carry her for 9 months and have no legal right to her. They say children choose their parents, I am sure Lacie knew exactly what she was doing… as an advocate for children with special needs, educator, and counselor, I immediately noticed delays in Lacie’s development. My now husband trusted my opinion and judgment and we trudged forward to find out the name of the beast and to gain the resources she needed. Over 2 years after the start of our medical journey, we have 1 diagnosis. The first of several to be made. While it is rewarding to receive an answer, it also paints a long road. There may not be many step-parents in this community or rather in the same situation. But love is so much more than skin deep. There are many frustrations and stresses that occur on top of every thing else. I love my daughter. God sent her to me to show me how strong I am, how much love I have, and most certainly to show me who I am. Every day she shows me what she sees in me.