I will always remember the day we first met you
We laughed when we saw the baby with the crazy hair
We knew you had our hearts from the start
We were nervous and happy when you came into our care

I will always remember the way
You immediately snuggled on my chest
We knew our lives were about to change
We were praying it was for the best

I will always remember our first night
You screamed when I put you to bed
We looked at each other like “what have we done?”
We quickly learned, if in doubt, always keep you fed

I will always remember how you greeted me every morning
A huge smile on your face and your feet immediately rose
I’ve never met a baby who could spend all day
Cuing in the “happy baby” pose

I will always remember the diaper blowouts
You averaged at least once a day
Sometimes it took two people to change you
Who else can poop up their neck that way?

I will always remember the night you cried out in pain
It broke my heart to know there was nothing I could do
I held you on my chest all night in the recliner
It was an endless night but I knew we’d make it through

I will always remember the conflicted feelings
We wanted yours to be a success story
As month after month went by with you in our home
Our impending loss became a worry

I will always remember how empty our home felt
When you went on your visits with your mom
We always counted down the minutes until your return
Never really knowing where you came from

I will always remember the love my boys shared
They couldn’t walk by you without giving a hug
They built you a “forever monkey” at Build-A-Bear
Man that day our heartstrings got a tug

I will always remember when the date was set
You would return on January eleventh to your mom
As happy as we were for her success
We couldn’t shake the heartache and loss that would come

I will always remember as that day drew near
Every moment I held on to you a little bit tighter
I thought a lot about your future
I hoped you would always be a fighter

I will always remember how beautiful, joyful, and funny you are
I hope you will always remember this too
You brought so much light and laughter into our lives
You made complete strangers smile just by being you

I will always remember our final day together
The cracks getting deeper as our hearts began to crumble
I still heard God whisper “trust and let go”
In that moment nothing felt more impossible

I will always remember the morning they came for you
We hugged you tight and tried not to make too big a fuss
We all cried on each other as we watched the car drive away
I can’t help but wonder how long you will continue to look for us

I will always remember how wonderful, ugly, beautiful, and tiresome it all was
Loving a little one as our own and having to let them go in the end
It will take some time for us all to heal
But if I were to be asked by anyone, YES I would do it all again

I will miss you Baby A you little fluffy monkey.