Brown-Eyed Baby Brother

By Christy Dias  
Over two years ago, I closed my eyes and made a wish. Now I open my eyes and look beside me in bed, and YES...there he is! Oh how beautiful, more perfect than a mother could ever imagine! 

I must tell this story:  when I was a very young girl, I loved my dolls! I can only remember always wanting many children. As I grew, I saved my most precious dolls to one day give to my own children. My favorite doll was a bald-headed, blue-eyed baby girl. I had named her Elizabeth. Remember that this was when I was no more than eight years of age. I now have my true Elizabeth—full of spunk and topped with a halo of pixy curls! I also saved my favorite boy baby doll. I had named him Van as a child. When we received the call for a referral of our son—I knew it had to be more than fate! His birth name was The Van Nguyen! God had him waiting for us—Mommy, Daddy, and Elizabeth—to bring him home to his family.  It was absolutely amazing! At the time, I was too afraid to tell many people how true and amazing it seemed. I was so afraid of cursing it somehow, but yes—this was God’s plan! 

No matter how God puts your child in your life, the moment you lay your eyes on him, he steals your heart and soul! Now our story is unique to some because we have been graciously blessed with a beautiful daughter who was able to grow inside my belly. As our Elizabeth likes to say, “I grew in Mommy’s belly, but another nice lady let Bransen grow in hers.” She too waited longingly for her baby brother! 

You know how some people have this set plan—four perfect children, the perfect house, the perfect life? I was one of those people. Little did I know that God did not think that was the perfect plan for me. He had something better!  

Well, when we first started the adoption process, we were scared, nervous, uneducated in adoption terms, and unsure of the path ahead. I read everything I could get my hands on and listened to anyone willing to talk about what they knew. Then, as we all know, the grueling process took twists and turns. Adoption is not hard in the way that those who have not yet adopted think. The process is what is emotionally trying, and the bumps often almost throw you completely off course! 

The day did finally come when it was our time!  If only Bransen knew Daddy was on his way!  Since we have our most precious daughter, Mommy was to stay behind while Daddy traveled across the world to bring home our son—Bransen Van Dias.  I think at times the travel was harder on me than my husband.  I waited at home, half of the time not knowing what was happening.  It was yet another test. The first time I spoke to Jimmy when he had Bransen in his arms was AMAZING!  It was so hard!!  One night at two o’clock in the morning, the phone rang, and yes, it was Jimmy!  He wanted me to hear Bransen laugh for the first time!  As he laughed, I cried!  Daddy was taking care of you now. 

Then, it was time to meet my boy. I felt so close and bonded to him, yet I felt I had so much to learn about him. When I saw my husband coming down the airport hallway with our son on his chest, you can only imagine the emotion. This time, as I cried, Bransen cried! That night, as my husband slept, Bransen and I stared at one another for many hours.  Not many words were said but, we were telling each other a lot!  

I know when someone asks years from now, “which child was adopted,” I will say, “you know, I don’t even remember.  "Both of my children grew in my heart—and as I see my daughter hold my son, I know—the best gift you can give a child is a sibling!

WORLDWIDE Adoption Services, Inc

101 Builders Court, Spartanburg, South Carolina 29316
Phone 864-814-1336    Fax 864-814-1340