Written by Pat

A few words about the woman I love

Tracy is one of the most caring and patient people I've ever known. As a teacher, she spends her days helping kids learn, grow, and build confidence in themselves. She truly loves what she does, and it shows in the way she treats her students. She celebrates their successes, supports them when they struggle, and always makes sure they know someone believes in them.

Even though we're technically just aunts and uncles right now, Tracy has a really special place in the lives of a lot of kids around us. Our nieces, our cousins' kids, and the children of our close friends all seem to naturally gravitate toward her. A lot of them even call her "Aunt Tracy," and it's easy to see why. She has this calm, caring way about her that makes kids feel comfortable right away.

Our journey to becoming parents hasn't been easy. After trying to start a family naturally and going through several rounds of IVF, we didn't get the results we were hoping for. Of course it bothered me too, but I could see how much it was tearing Tracy up. I know how deeply she wants to be a mother, and watching her go through that was incredibly hard. At the same time, it also showed me how strong she is and how much love she already has to give a child.

Patience is one of Tracy's greatest strengths. Whether it's with her students, the kids in our lives, or even with me from time to time, she approaches everything with calm, understanding, and kindness. She has a natural way of listening and making people feel supported.

Over the past year, welcoming a young exchange student from Spain into our home gave Tracy another chance to show exactly who she is. Watching her offer support, guidance, and help someone feel comfortable in a completely new place was really special to see. It only reinforced what I've always known about Tracy ~ she has a natural ability to nurture and help young people feel safe, confident, and valued.

After seeing the way she cares for the kids already in our lives, I've never had any doubt that she's meant to be a mom.