“We’ve already heard from some people who have seen this little film. It’s making an impact on hearts. It’s giving women and men the courage to say yes to life. To say yes to ten little fingers and ten little toes. You’ll never regret embracing life, even if it’s painful.”

David’s mom and dad said a few words. Brian and Azure just waved to the crowd and nodded when they were mentioned.

Finally Nate stepped forward. “I’ve known David since the first grade and I have to say he’s put up with a lot from me. His whole family has. When I heard about his adoption and that he might get to meet Brian and Melissa, I thought it would be a good story to capture. I kind of made a nuisance of myself at David’s house and on the trip to Melissa’s. But I don’t regret any of it. I’m glad I was part of it.

“What you don’t know is that someone I love a lot went through this same story, right as we were shooting this. And when she saw what had happened to David, even though she just wanted her problems to go away, she had the courage to say yes to life, like Melissa did.”

Nate’s voice began to tremble and he looked down at the microphone. “David’s right. This is a lot bigger than just a film about his life and his adoptive parents and birth parents. This is really about all of us. Nobody in this room, nobody who watches this film is a mistake. The love that the Coltons showed David came from somewhere deep inside, even beyond them. It’s always been a picture of God’s love for us. And I hope you feel that as you think about the film, that God has a bigger plan for the pain and struggle you’re going through.”

David’s heart swelled because he had never seen Nate speak so slowly and with such conviction. Usually he was talking fast and making points and gesturing with his hands, but now his words came deliberately and with emotion.

“Dude, where did that come from?” David said when Nate stepped back.

Nate shrugged, then pointed to his heart. David hugged him.

Susan was getting ready for David’s departure again. He was heading back to school, and every goodbye was hard. Sure, she could text him and call and email, but there was something about how fast he was growing up that made her scared she was losing him.

She knew that wasn’t true, and she prayed for a tranquil heart and a willingness to let him be who God wanted him to be. But there was still an element of, “Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.”