Makin' a Baby at Kinko's

As we drove up to Kinko’s, we could feel the anticipation begin. The blue glow of the lights shone on us as we walked through the glass doors of our future. The Kinko’s was more crowded than it has been on previous visits, but that did not dissuade us from completing our business there. As we waited in line, we were seduced by the glow of the 50% off sign, offers to make calendars and coffee mugs, and large pictures left by previous customers. The smell of copier toner wafted through the air. Trey and I patiently waited for our turn. Though unconventional in the baby-making process, Trey and I found ourselves here, at Kinko’s, completing the next step in becoming parents.

As we waited to be helped, we listed as sales associate, Ping, helped Phyllis try to ship her Christmas packages to Guam; she wanted to compare prices with the post office and did not understand why the large refrigerator box could not be shipped to a PO Box. We watched as unhappy customers left with the promise of a reprint in the morning, but we were not discouraged.

Soon we were summoned by Chris and felt confident in his ability to help us with our revised version of the miracle of life. He began opening and converting files with ease paying little attention to the document – unaware of the magnitude of this assignment. This was no sales document he was printing, but with professionalism he printed without comment on the page after page of pictures of Trey and me. He still remained silent as we spoke of the fabulous pictures on the page – one making us look thin, another beautiful, some athletic. We now count Chris as one of our closest friends as he has seen photos of our home – inside and out, all members of both families, and every vacation Trey and I have been on since getting married.

Pleased with the first draft, we approved the printing of six more. We handed him out debit card, and, in exchange, he handed us the final copies of our adoption portfolio. We left, holding not just a bag, but someone’s first glimpse into our lives and the kind of parents we will be. With this final task checked off our list, the waiting begins….