what's in a name?

Dear Evangeline...

Choosing a name for you was no easy task.  As with your brother, we could not come to a final decision until we actually met you...saw your face.  A few names were in the running, but once we met you, we knew.  Evangeline, your name is very special to us.  We wanted your name to tell a story...our story...and someday your story too.  We wanted your name to mean something more than just "we liked the sound of it".  We wanted it to represent the kind of person we want you to become.

I originally fell in love with the name "Evangeline" after reading Uncle Tom's Cabin.  The angelic heroine in the novel that befriends and loves Uncle Tom is Evangeline St. Clair, or "Little Eva".  After Tom saves her from drowning, she convinces her father to purchase him for their household as a slave...and she and Tom become fast friends.  Eva has a pure heart and never sees Tom or any of the other slaves as unequal.  She speaks love and forgiveness and shares her heart with them all.  She was a beacon of light and hope and kindness where there was often none for the slaves.  Such a beautiful girl, inside and out.

But your name took on a whole new truth when we looked up it's actual meaning..."bearer of good news".  For you, my sweet girl, could not have brought gladder tidings to our lives.  After praying and trying for more than 2 years for another child...after suffering a miscarriage...after being told by doctors there was no way we could get pregnant again without expensive medical intervention...and after deciding that we did not want to walk down that road...the surprise of YOU was the best news we had received in years.  After living every day with the weight of infertility, you were a gift of light and JOY, and, as far as we are concerned, a miracle created by God.

Evangeline...every time I say your name I am reminded of what a special gift you are to us.

I love you sweetie!

Mommy