Our First Day as a Family
At the Hanoi orphanage, 4-month-old Leo would not meet my eye. Good! Leo’s withdrawal suggested he was attached to his current caregivers. If, after being separated from his birth mother, he attached once, he would likely attach again. Our first night, Leo cried inconsolably as I held him. His 12-pound body had already absorbed so much disruption. After hours of pacing, I opened our balcony door. The sun was rising onto our first full day as a family. I looked down at Leo’s face and saw the beginning of a smile. “We’re going to be OK,” I promised. — Anna Monardo
His Unwavering Belief
After connecting online, Shawn suggested we meet at a boxing class. Nervously, I told him I walk with braces and crutches, expecting hesitation. “Let’s meet anyway,” he said. When I committed to the New York City triathlon without knowing how to swim, he gave me swim gear for my birthday. Five years after meeting, we married; that same year, his support propelled me to become an Ironman World Champion triathlete. Shawn transported my gear, biked alongside me for safety and drove hours for me to do open-water swims and training. His unwavering belief in me defines our extraordinary journey. — Minda Dentler
