nine years ago i arrived in New York City a naive, scared, twenty-two year old, so in love with my husband. 

Six months ago, I sat in a South African court. Georgie sat in my lap as I told a judge I wanted to be his mama forever. Umprompted, Georgie held the pen with me as I signed the papers. In an instant it was official, done.

October 22, 2010 was a beautiful October day, much like today but colder. Marcus was still sleeping when I left for work.

I have a son. I am a mama. 

I have a son. I am a mama. 

At times I feel I need to write sentences, like when I was in third grade and kept forgetting my homework, for these truths to sink in.