I remember it well. I was on some type of school break. Home from college for about a week. I went on a walk with my older brother, Dan, just to catch up on life. I’ve always admired Dan. He’s a true dreamer and encourager of the things not yet realized, not yet seen. He has this way of relentlessly believing in people and promises long after everyone else has given up.
 
In typical me fashion, I ended up breaking down in tears. I had recently spent a long summer going to over 20 doctor appointments after a difficult freshman year trying to adjust to the pace of college soccer after a major back surgery. My muscles hadn’t quite adjusted to the new shape of my spine or the two titanium rods fused to my vertebrae. My rib cage was still distorted from the scoliosis, leading to reduced lung capacity. Not a good combination for playing college soccer. More upsetting was the fact that all my close friends had boyfriends, and I hadn’t been asked out in a long time. It was the perfect storm for a mountain of insecurity dissolved in a puddle of tears.
 
In true Dan fashion, he gave me a big brother hug and said, “Liz, I have to tell you something. I met this girl while I was working at a camp this summer. Her name is Grace. The first time I saw her, she was helping out some campers at the swimming pool and I noticed she was wearing earplugs. I asked one of my friends if he knew why, and he said that she had a brain tumor and had gone through several surgeries. I don’t know if I’m ever going to see this girl again, but it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. Just meeting her inspired me. Liz, so many people think that their perfections are what make them most beautiful, but they’re wrong. Someday, someone is going to see your imperfections and all that you had to go through with your surgery and think it’s the most beautiful part about you.”
 
Fast forward a few years, a couple more tumor surgeries, a pile of letters and an ask to dance, and Dan is now married to beautiful Grace. The girl he fell in love with for a million reasons. For her beautiful imperfections and the strength it took to endure such pain. Their story is far too amazing to cover here. You’ll have to ask them more about it sometime.
 
But the next step in their journey is just beginning! You see, they dream of having a family. And that dream is about to become a reality. They’re adopting a little one in April, and that little one is a million prayers answered.
 
Why? What most people don’t notice about Grace is that she lives in constant pain. You would never guess from her big smile, the way she asks you about your life over a cup of coffee, the way she cares about people so deeply, and the beauty she creates through her art and in her life. The tumor is still there. And the shunts put in place to regulate the spinal fluid surrounding her brain don’t always work perfectly. I’ve watched Dan hold her head to his chest and cover her ears when high pitched noises come out of nowhere. To others, it seems like just a sweet moment between husband and wife. It is, but it’s so much more. To those who know, it’s the most poignant picture of holding pain in your hands and hope in your heart. Hope for healing, hope for good. Headaches are an everyday thing, and carrying a child is far too dangerous right now. But carrying a child is not what makes you a mama. It is the love and care you have to give. And Grace is most definitely a mama. And Dan a father. 
 
So if you've ever believed that GOOD is COMING, that imperfections are the most beautiful part of a person’s soul. If you have ever been blessed by knowing Dan and Grace, please join us in bringing good to a couple that couldn’t deserve it more. And all the love in the world to a child who has no idea about the amazing family they get to come home to.

Adoption is a HUGE undertaking – emotionally, spiritually and financially. They have already drained so much of their savings to love a child that is not yet home. So let’s help BRING HOME BABY CASEY! We can’t help in every way, but this is our way of saying, WELCOME TO THE MAMA and DADDY CLUB DAN and GRACE! We celebrate with you! We believe with you. You guys are going to make the BEST PARENTS!