I've been thinking a lot this summer about sisterhood. There are sisters though birth, sisters through adoption, sisters through marriage, sorority sisters, and then there are Hilawe Sisters. Bereket has been blessed to spend some extra special time with her Hilawe Sister this summer and I've been so touched by watching this relationship grow.
Bereket and Kokeb knew each other long before they knew their forever families. They were each other's family at Hilawe Foundation in Addis Ababa. They shared ther crib, their toys, their clothes, their meals, their precious nannies, and every waking moment of each and every day until Jason and I and Brian and Jill were allowed to make our second trips to Ethiopia to bring our precious girls home.
Bereket came home to Minnesota in October of 2011, Kokeb made her journey to Wisconsin two months later. Since then, we've visited each other's homes, had a beach party, a trip to the Children's Museum in La Crosse, and a reunion with their Hilawe Brother, James, who now lives in Milwaukee.
It had been 6 months since the girls last saw each other when our families met up at Ethiopian Family Camp in Paynesville, Minnesota last month. Now that the girls are getting a little older, they're understanding their special connection a little better. They spent much of their time at camp holding hands!
They also did lots of "big girl" things like go swimming and ride their bikes.
One of the highlights of camp was a cultural dinner Saturday night. This was a "dress up" affair. Bereket was so honored that Kokeb let her wear one of the special dresses her parents bought for her in Ethiopia.
The girls shared many secrets as they waited for the big meal. I can't help but wonder what they were talking about! I must admit these are two of my favorite photos of the girls!
And I love this one of the whole gang!
Two weeks after Ethiopian Family Camp, the girls were re-united for a day at Princess Camp in Rochester. It was "just the two of them" (along with Belle, Snow White, and some other young princess campers!)
The fun continued after Princess Camp as Bereket introduced Kokeb and her mom to one of our favorite restaurants, Whistle Binkies on the Lake.
Love, friendship and sisterhood built on adoption. We celebrate these blessings!
