My husband and I spent 12 years

« Dad, can I put this here? »

She was asking permission to set down a cup.

On our counter.

In her own home.

Twelve years later, someone showed up at our door, threatening the sense of security we’d spent years helping her find.

By the time Reid and I decided to adopt, we’d already lost people simply because we loved each other.

My father stopped inviting me to Thanksgiving after our wedding.

The first year, I thought he’d come around.