I found abandoned twin girls in the forest and took them home. The next morning, I was shocked by what they did to my daughter.

I watched from the doorway, and my heart was about to burst with joy. That night, after the girls were asleep, I made a decision. These twins had brought light back into our darkest days.

They gave Emma the simple joy of being a child again, even amid her illness. So, I decided to let them stay. I decided to adopt them.

The process wasn’t easy, but nothing worthwhile ever is. Today, our family of two plus a dog has grown to include two more daughters. Sometimes I think about that cold December night and marvel at how close I came to walking past that fallen log.

But Max knew. Somehow, he knew those girls belonged with us.