Heather

"Look, Mommy! Isn't this dress beautiful?" Avery exclaimed, pointing to a mannequin. The joy in her voice was infectious, and I found myself swept up at the moment. These moments we were constructing together, brick by brick, laugh by laugh, were the building blocks of a cherished bond. Avery, Luka, Theo. and Dunstan were my pack now.

"Absolutely stunning, just like you," I replied, seeing her beam brighter than the twinkle in her eye.

Luka, ever the adventurer, had already dashed off to the next store. I enjoyed watching his light brown hair make a mess of halo around his head as he called out, "Mom, Dunstan, come see...