Tatumn Hope

Our journey to you was far longer than a pregnancy. And in that time I would daydream of names for you. Your brothers had a theme going, accidentally. But you were different. Special. And I wanted your name to reflect that. I laugh at the first names I had for you. Emmerson. You are not an Emmerson. Kendale. I liked the K because of your daddy's name. I wanted your initials to be the same as his. KEC. But it just didn't feel right. Then one day, you became Tatumn.

The T fit the crazy pattern of your brothers. And although your life didn't start from my womb, I always want you to know you are a part of this crazy family we call Crawford. So, Tatumn it was. Even down to the crazy part of having 6 letters.

But the Hope took on a new meaning after March 2006.

One day I will tell you that amazing story.

It begins with a King who loves a princess in a land far, far away. But baby girl, this is no fairy tale. A fairy tale pales in comparison to the Real Story called Tatumn Hope. And this King is like no other. He is the King above all Kings. And He has taken great delight in you, Princess. He is the One who has called you by name. Created you, knit you together. Redeemed your precious life And gathered you from the East and brought you into a family. His family.

But waiting for you and trusting His promise is what brought forth the Hope. Hope is defined as "Joyful Expectation." In the dark days that marked our March 2006, it was the joyful expectation that God's promise is faithful, even though everything around is crumbling, that kept us believing.

Hope that God would place you in our arms. Not like wishing on a dandelion. But joyfully expecting God's promise to be fulfilled.

Princess, because of God's Great Love we do get to live happily, ever after.