Sunshine

Amanda:

My welcome crew.

Sadie: I’m so jealous! Amanda wanted to stop in Japan so I connected her with my Japanese family.

The Kasagamis came into my life 13 years ago when their mother, Mari came to live with my family for a year to learn English. I was in 2nd grade at the time. We shared a room by the time she left, I had come to think of her as a sort-of Japanese sister/aunt/mom.

Before I got to see her again, she married Katsu (what a perfect fit!) and they started a family. When I was 14, I spent my summer break in Japan, visiting them and a few other friends.

Anju (the smile-y one with the hat) was born on June 22 with me nervously waiting just outside the door. The first two weeks of her life I was there, watching her grow right before my eyes. Something about witnessing the miracle of a child has brought the two of us a special connection. What a blessing she is!

The next time I got a chance to visit, 4 years later, Mari had already popped out two more of these Japanese peas! Sara (the princess—named after me, she’s the ornery lookin’ one in the middle) and Nanami (a.k.a Ba-Nana, with the chopsticks) were added to the pod. These girls are a force to be reckoned with. Their energy, their love, their rockin’ style, their togetherness, their ups, their downs, and all things in between.

I think I’m leaving Amanda in six, tiny, good hands!