Who could have guessed?

When Erin was born a little over nine years ago, I never imaged she would one day call me mom. I was sixteen and thrilled to the core to be her aunt. I was there when she was born. It was a long and difficult labor that ended with a c-section. I paced the floor until the nurse brought her out. I was in love with her from the moment I saw her. I skipped many nights with my friends to be with her. Just holding her; in awe of her perfect fingers and toes. There were a few nights I even slept in her crib with her. As she grew so did our bond. We were shopping buddies and dancing partners. I melted each time she called me Nana, still never imagining that I could ever play the role of mother to her. When I moved to California, it was difficult for everyone in our family, but I worried the most about her. She was moving back in with my sister to a situation I couldn't control while in the same city much less from across the country. I called her often. She always found a way to make me smile. Once, she tried to stuff durritos through the phone and was absolutely confused when it didn't work. Over the next four years things progressed in a way that is only clear as I look back over them, and Erin came to live with us. One year ago today, we signed the papers that legaly made us a family.
"Who would have guessed? Who could have known? The roads we have taken would lead us home."