(Crazy, Messy, Beautiful Photography)
We’re the Bechtels. My husband, Matt, is a Staff Sergeant in the
United States Air Force. Stationed at Nellis AFB. We have two daughters,
Kelly (born June 2006) and Kimberly (born March 2013).
Here’s our story: Our oldest is not biologically his. She is from my previous marriage. I married my first boyfriend a week after I turned 18 (we eloped). 3 months later, while on antibiotics, I got pregnant with Kelly. During this time I became very aware that my ex-husband was not the person I thought he was. He is an alcoholic and abusive. To make a long story short, I ended up in the hospital with a chronic abruption of the placenta (caused by blunt force trauma). I was on hospitalized bed rest for 4 months. Kelly was born 9 weeks early by emergency cesarean. She spent her first month in the NICU. She has never known what a normal life is like.
When I was released from the
hospital everything I owned was gone. We
were evicted from our apartment and my things were just gone. My bank accounts drained. He left me with a new baby, thousands of
dollars in debt, and no home. My parents
stepped up, while my ex ran from us and child support. I worked two jobs to try to support my
daughter. I hated men and I was afraid
of dating. Every guy I met was the
same. They only wanted one thing and had
no interest in my daughter. Sorry guys,
we came as a packaged deal! Then one
night during one of our many conversations.
Matt said “Allie, please let me take you and your daughter out to dinner!” NO ONE had ever included her. They all just expected my mother to watch
her. I was worried about bringing
someone new into her life, but something told me to make that leap! It was one of those fairytale dates where
everything is perfect. People wouldn’t
believe you if you tried to tell them about this prince charming you just
met! When I got home that evening, my
mother asked me how it had gone. I
simply told her “I’m going to marry him!” and I DID 6 months to the day later!
He proposed to me with one of Kelly’s plastic Rapunzel rings she got off a cupcake at school. I was having issues with my ex-husband at the time. I was preparing to move back to New Hampshire and leave Matt. The thought literally made me sick, but I needed to protect my baby. Matt would not allow it. He said we were everything to him and he was going to treat us like Princesses for the rest of our lives. He would take care of us and do whatever it took to keep us! With tears streaming down my face, I accepted. He replied with “If we are going to do this, I WILL adopt Kelly!” Kelly never knew her biological father for obvious reason mentioned. We planned our wedding in two weeks. Kelly’s insurance through the ex had been canceled and we needed to enroll her under Matts as soon as possible. We said “I do” on February 25, 2011. A year earlier than planned! It was not my dream wedding. I bought a dress last minute at David’s bridal. It did not fit quite right. My dad did not give me away. Matt had only one co-worker there (He stood up as Matts best man).
But our vows came straight from the heart and
we meant every single word.
Less than a month later Kelly ended up in the
hospital.
It seemed like life was on fast forward after
that. She was hospitalized again in
July.
We had to track down the ex after so many years.
We filed to terminate his parental
rights. And then Matt deployed for the
first time. Kelly thought Matt had left
her. She finally understood, but it was
difficult for someone so young to adjust.
While he was gone, it felt
like everything was falling apart. My
ex-husband did not make anything easy.
But after months of hell, we finally had our court date and the judge
granted the termination. We waited days
to tell Matt. Kelly finally got to give
him her news “The judge said you can be my Daddy!" The day came when Matt was finally back in our arms.
We filed for a Step Parent adoption as soon as
he got home. The adoption was final on
July 3, 2012.
As an adoption gift, Kellys "fairy" Godmother gave her a canvas that she proudly hangs on her wall. It says “My Prince did come!
I call him Daddy!” And an amazing Daddy he is.
After Kelly had gone to sleep
that night, we lay in bed. Still buzzing
from the days excitement. We figured it
was a perfect time to give Kelly a sibling.
40 weeks later Kimberly Grace was born.
Things never really go as
planned. Life happens. Schedules change (especially in the military)
Unexpected things come up. Cars give
out. Savings are drained. Bills pile up. Accidents occur. I became a stay at home mom because of Kellys
health problems. We canceled our vow
renewal (my dream was a Disney wedding).
My gorgeous dream dress I received from Brides Across America has been
collecting dust in my closet for two years now.
We keep putting plans on hold. But then I sit back and look at what we
DO have! I wish I could put into words
how blessed our lives have become. Our
marriage is not perfect by any means. Most
times I feel like I have failed as a parent (Thank you Pinterest!) But we are perfect for each other. I could not ask for anyone better to be
parenting my children with me. And I
truly have two absolutely wonderful daughters.
Kelly is gorgeous and pure
inside and out. She is one of the most
amazing children I have ever had the pleasure of knowing (and she’s all mine!
Muahahaha!). She has stood out from the
beginning. After her birth, the doctor told
me “Your baby is a miracle! We have no
medical explanation as to why she is alive.
There’s a much bigger plan for her!”
She’s genuine and supportive.
Kelly sees the good in everything.
You could give her a rotten banana and she can tell you something
positive about it. She’s full of Faith
and so optimistic about life! She turned
7 last June. Instead of getting toys and
gifts, she asked her guests to bring a donation for the Nevada SPCA (We foster
for them and she is very much involved)
With her birthday money she paid for fleece and made kennel blankets. She says she wants to be a vet when she grows up. She has big dreams and I love watching her
grow.
Here is my reason for writing… about time,
right?! We are currently 8 weeks in to our
2nd deployment.
Matt is expected home in
February. Kelly thinks he is coming home
closer to her birthday. We want to surprise Kelly at Disneylandl!!! My plan was to take her to Bibbidi Bobbidi
Boutique to make her into a “Princess for the day”. After her makeover and photo shoot, I wanted
to take her to eat at Ariels Grotto with the Princesses. I thought it would be perfect for Ariel to mention “The only thing you are missing is your Prince.” There Matt
will be waiting in his blues to surprise her. I had the entire
trip planned- With my friends help, Kelly would have no idea what was about to
happen, a true surprise! We have never
been to California Adventure so we planned to stay for a few days at the resort
with park hoppers.
I am always having to tell
Kelly “no”. She never complains. She never asks questions. She’s so gracious and understanding. This little girl is wise beyond her
years. I don’t want her to grow up and
lose the magic in her heart. I want to
pull something this epic off while she still believes that Disney Princesses
are real. Just once, I want to do something special for
Kelly. The problem is, we can’t afford
it. Matt drives a motorcycle as his only
means of transportation. It is literally
being held together with packing tape and glue (He was backed into before he
deployed). It NEEDS to be repaired. We
spent our savings on a car seat for the baby and new eye glasses for me so I can drive. Unfortunately, life happened.
We are trying to find the best way possible to make this trip a reality for our girls. Any suggestions or contacts would be great. We appreciate the help!
Sincerely,
Allison Bechtel
Sincerely,
Allison Bechtel
