Risks

The descriptive word for the feeling of love is different for everyone. Euphoria, caring, ecstatic, bliss, tranquil. It varies for every individual. For me; it’s tunnel. The chaos, the stress, the anxiety- it all disappears. All I see is them and all I feel is adoration.

My experience with love at first site happened seven times in my life. The first in 2013; Amadeus. The second in 2016; Samuel. The third and fourth in 2017; Easton and Oakley. The fifth in 2018; Brooks. The sixth in 2019; Scarlett-Snow. The seventh in 2021; Jack.

Amadeus was born with a disease called Hirschsprungs Disease, with this came lots of surgeries the first at 5 days old. He was on lots of antibiotics. That never altered the love he had to give though. There is no denying his pain, he had serious surgeries and had major infections. Despite this, he always gave the brightest smile when he caught you looking at him. Every doctor and nurse that cared for him for his 6 months in the NICU absolutely adored his tiny self.

Samuel is very tall, very strong. He had the most unique laugh and smile as a baby. He laughed backwards. No really. His laugh started from the normal END. It sounded like the cutest hick-up. Always the life of the party, yet made every person feel absolutely adored.

Easton is a wild card. He can do any type of sport and do it well. He perfects each interest he has from drawing to playing Hockey. He knows emotions are important. He builds strong unique relationships with everyone that's important to him and he makes everyone feel special. Easton is one of my sons that I gained when I met my partner Bradley.

Oakley is a tank with hilarious jokes all the time. He can do 40 solid push-ups at 6 years old and hardly break a sweat. He is a daddies boy and always stands up for what is right. I call him the rough house because this boy is like a mini Arnold Schwarzenegger. No joke, he has huge arm muscles and can lift the couch - again, he's SIX! Oakley is my other son that I gained when I met my partner.

Brooks has the sweetest heart, constantly smiling and laughing. Always calling me and his sister beautiful. Calling his dad "good". In his perfect little mind, these are the best compliments he can give. As an adult, I can assure you, they are. They are the sweetest words from someone this little. Oh and dinosaurs. Oh the dinosaurs. He can talk all day about his love for "big scary shark dinosaurs".

Scarlett-Snow is the sweetest. Always focused on helping and always thinking of more ways to make things easier for others. "You are silly" is her sweet sentence to everyone now. She also argues with me when I call her pretty. Her response is always "NO you're pretty!" The only girl out of 7 and she loves babies and make-up. She is just like her momma.

Then there is Jack. Oh sweet handsome Jack. Always focused on other things, but the split second you catch his attention, he gives the biggest smile and his eyes always match. He too has health problems that he should grow out of at a year. However, currently he is small and in a lot of pain. To see someone this small and sweet in constant pain is nothing short or heartbreaking. I have always maintained that babies shouldn't be able to feel pain. They only know love and needs. Even through this, he's still so loving. My sweet baby Jack.

Each with a different love to give and a different love received.

Each one took so much blood and so much energy. They are the loves of my life, and they were the second I had them or gained them. These are my seven kids. This is the only way I can describe love at first site. Amadeus is now 8, brilliant, sweet, always helping with everything. Samuel is 6, the most unique artist and so amazing for his age, he is always wanting to learn more. Easton is 10 and 100% an athlete; it is unbelievable the sports this little dude has mastered and how quickly too. Ice skating, biking, hockey, scooter, dirt biking, swimming and parkour. Oakley is 6 and just a wild card; you never know what you'll get. It's either sweet, calm and helpful or crazy, energized and so much to do and so much to learn! Brooks is 3, an absolute tank and obsessed with colors and dinosaurs. Scarlett-Snow is 2 and the cutest sassiest little lady but rest assured, she is a girly girl to the very core. Jack is 3 months old and learning he has hands and that he can laugh, this is my favorite age. Every single one owns my heart and did the second I saw them. They are my loves at first sight.

I often say that love is an understatement. It doesn't seem strong enough. No word does to me. I couldn't imagine life without any of these kids. I couldn't imagine where I would be if they weren't my world. They have taught me more since becoming a mom than the 17 years before. I love you Amadeus, Samuel, Easton, Oakley, Brooks, Scarlett and Jack. Thank you for teaching me what love is.