This is the first picture I took of Jill. It was taken a few months after we met - after the 100's of emails and texts exchanged, after the many Kayden and Buddy Ben weekly playdates, and after the excitement, the laughter, and pure joy with the right amount of fear as we settled into motherhood, and despite the 100's of pictures of our boys, I took a picture of my friend Jill. Her limitless support, strength, humour, empathy, and vulnerability made me a better person.

We met via email just a few days after she received her adoption referral. My son's adoption referral was received about the week before. It was the beginning of a wonderful, cherished friendship. I cannot think of a better person to have begun, and shared, my parenting journey with. Our boys, who met before we did, brought us together. Our love for our boys and love of life made it so easy to be friends.