Yesterday was a long day filled with lots of driving, but the entire day was incredible. I set out early from Nashville because I knew it could potentially take an hour to get to my destination. It was a beautiful morning for a drive. I was headed to a rural part of Tennessee that lies beyond Gallatin and Hendersonville. I made good time and pulled down a long gravel driveway where I met my new friend. We'll call her Casey because I want to respect her privacy in these matters. Casey and I hit it off immediately. Conversation flowed easily. As we meandered down scenic highways, we began sharing our stories. She actually went first without any prompting. As her story concluding, bringing us to the present moment, she turned to look at me and simply asked, "Why are you doing this? It's such a long distance for you to drive. Why are you helping me?"

As I had prayed, God provided the perfect opportunity for me to share my story with her and answer her questions directly. I told her that I was just an adopted kid that figures someone did this for my birthmother at some point and that it was my honor to be able to do this for her. She was so sweet and very appreciative. She shared that the pregnancy had been difficult and that she will be relieved when the baby finally comes. Yet, she's nervous about it as well. She knows that what lies ahead of her will not be easy. She voiced some anxiety about having to give up the baby, but she is resolute in her decision. I told her that I couldn't imagine how difficult the decision must be and even more so the carrying out of it, but I assured her that an adopted child never forgets. I told her how I think of my birthmother often and pray that she is as blessed as her decision as allowed my life to be. I was so glad to have the opportunity to say to her the things that I would share with my own birthmother. I hope they helped her have even more peace about her decision.

When we arrived to the adoption agency, we were warmly greeted by the ladies that work there. Casey was nervous about meeting the family she's chosen for her child, but the ladies there calmed her fears and counseled her about the days schedule of events. I left in order to give them privacy, but prayed for them all from a distance.

When I returned to pick up Casey, she was grinning from ear-to-ear. She said she was incredibly nervous the first few minutes with the family and felt as though they were to, but she said it quickly wore off and they had a great visit together. She was really pleased with her decision and was happy that her child would be raised by this family.

Then came my favorite moment of the day. We were quietly riding along the rural highways with the sun shining in the windows. I thought Casey was dozing because she had mentioned that she tires so quickly as she nears her delivery date, but she turned to me and quite out of nowhere said that she had picked out a name for the baby. She shared the name and I agreed that it was a great name. Apparently that came up during her meeting with the family, and (hold on to your seats) the family had picked the exact same name for the baby! How amazing is that?!? I think we both choked back some emotion. I swallowed the lump in my throat and told her that I thought that was such an incredible sign of confirmation of her decision and her choice of a family for her baby. She grinned from ear-to-ear, turned to look out the window and we continued to ride a ways more in silence.

As we turned down Casey's gravel driveway, she graciously thanked me for the ride and the company during the trip. I wished her all the best and told her it had really been my pleasure and an honor to help her. I meant it more than my meager words could express in that moment.

"Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by doing so some have entertained angels without knowing it." Hebrews 13:1,2