Today was the big day, Brynlee Eden Gurrad left the hospital with Brooke and I. But I’m getting ahead of myself.

TISSUE WARNING – I needed them to write this, so those of you with a low tear threshold may need to grab a box of tissue.

Brooke and I both woke up around 4:30am, just excited and nervous for the day ahead, thank God that we were able to fall back asleep eventually. We woke up and got ready for a very big day, packed up the diaper bag and camera, and headed for the hospital.

We arrived in the lobby area, I of course I had to go grab us some coffee from the Cafeteria, and then we sat with Erin, the social worker for Bethany Christian Services, to sign papers. Reading through these documents and signing was just surreal. So incredibly different then what I was expecting. I don’t think I can express what it was like. We were sitting there with a car seat and diaper bag, guys we are leaving with a tiny human! WOW!

We headed upstairs to spend some time with the birth family before they were to be discharged. Brooke and I really had no idea what to expect, but were praying for a powerfully beautiful moment for everyone. When we arrived birth Mom wasn’t ready for us so sat in the waiting area with Erin and just talked about how incredible these entire adoption has been. She’s been a part of tons of adoptions, and she said they are all so unique, but that she was amazed at how well this was going. She told us about her brother who was adopted and how powerful it really is to the entire family. It was cool to share our story even with her, made me want to tell everyone I could find. It reminded me of how great God has been through all this.

Birth grandmother came out to greet us and led us into the room where birth Mom, Dad and baby were waiting. We sat with them for over three hours, passing baby around and crying, laughing and crying more. The birth family shared with us some gifts that they purchased for Brynlee, which was just incredible. Birth Mom made a precious baby blanket for Brynlee that she is wrapped in even now as I write this. I know that this will be a very special item for the rest of her life.

We too, had some gifts to share. Brooke and I purchased some beautiful jewelry for birth Mom and grandmother, as well as dog tags for birth Dad and grandfather. All of them simply said, “Forever in my heart.” It was a perfect moment, and I think by far my favorite part of the entire day. It was such a bonding moment between our two families. Oh, and I can’t forget to tell you that we also got a anklet that said matched birth families. So powerful, tissues were very much used.

Shortly after that birth Mom asked for us to give her some alone time with the baby. We all left and anxiously waited to see what would happen. I remind you, this was all new and without any concrete plan, so we didn’t know what was going to happen next. A few minutes went by and then birth Mom asked for birth Dad to come in. So, at this point I was trying not to freak out. I knew God was in control, but doubt tried to creep into my mind. “What if she’s in there telling him that she can’t go through with it?” I prayed and tried not to look like I was panicking.

A nurse began walking towards us and wanted us to come with her to go through the discharge things parents needed to do, and told us that she’d go get the baby. We didn’t know, but birth Mom and called the nurse from her room and told them she was ready.

Brooke and I sat in the nursery with like 7 nurses who were helping us get Brynlee ready, and going over basic care for our little bundle of joy. We had a lot of logistics to go over that weren’t “normal” for every family, but the staff were great at helping us navigate through all of it.

Once that was all done, it was go time. Birth Mom was ready, and so we all decided to leave together. Birth Mom wanted to place Brynlee into the car seat herself, so we all headed out to the lobby. I, being the good Daddy, went to get the car, cranked the AC up to MAX and drove up to the entrance.

Car Seat – Have to tell you, I rocked the car seat install, the nurse came out first with me and was very impressed with how incredible I am… so no big deal.

Birth Mom and family in toe came out and we loaded her up into the car seat. This was my cry moment, it was indescribable to see this young lady be so brave. She was so strong, I just couldn’t believe it. My heart was just overflowing with joy, I felt like God was just smiling down on this beautiful moment. I couldn’t help myself I had to hug birth Mom, and gave birth Dad a “man hug.” And last but not least was birth grandmother. I now people watching must have thought we had all lost our minds, but I will never forget this moment as long as I live. Driving away from that hospital with my daughter and beautiful wife sitting in the back seat I just was overwhelmed with thankfulness. God’s grace is so amazing, He does incredible things.

We got Brynlee back to the hotel, and have changed diapers, feed her a couple times and kissed and snuggled her like crazy. This little 6lbs child has stolen my heart.

Pray we get some sleep at some point tonight, but I don’t care either way, I’m just thrilled to have my beautiful daughter in my arms.