For the last couple of years, we’ve talked on and off about getting a pet.

Ever since settling into our home after bus life, it was a conversation that would come up every now and then. The kids wanted a pet. My husband wanted a pet. I liked the idea too, but I wasn’t quite ready for one.

Every now and then it would come up in conversation.

And then life would keep moving right along.

The Cat On The Porch

Then one evening, a neighbor’s cat wandered onto our back porch while I was sitting out there alone.

He had visited before, but this time he stayed for quite a while.

He rubbed against my head, climbed into my lap, stretched out on the couch beside me, and fell asleep.

For the next couple of days, I found myself looking at cats online.

I wasn’t actively trying to adopt one.

I was just looking.

The Moment Everything Changed

Then one night, I came across a cat named Pippa.

There was something about her that immediately caught my attention.

After reading her description, I learned she had a bonded sister named Posy.

The moment I found Posy’s profile too, I knew there was no way I wanted to separate them.

By that point, the entire family was invested.

The kids loved them.

My husband loved the idea.

And somehow, after only a couple of days of reading their descriptions and looking at their photos, I loved them too.

Everything Happened Fast

I filled out the application around ten o’clock that night.

By noon the next day, we had already heard back from the rescue.

Not long after that, the foster mom called.

Just like that, we were approved.

The entire process happened in less than twenty-four hours.

I honestly don’t think I expected it to move that quickly.

The foster mom and I talked for a long time.

Then she sent photos.

Then more photos.

Then videos.

Then more videos.

And every update made us more excited.

Preparing For Cats Who Weren’t Here Yet

Adoption day was still several days away.

But mentally?

I was already preparing.

Actually, preparing is probably an understatement.

I cleaned the house as though family was coming to stay for a week.

I reorganized closets.

Bought food bowls.

Bought litter.

Bought toys.

Bought scratching posts.

The cats weren’t even here yet.

Posy

The Drive To North Carolina

The next morning we loaded into the car and drove to North Carolina.

The drive was about two hours each way.

It felt much shorter.

Everyone was excited.

When we arrived, we met their foster mom.

It was immediately obvious how much she loved them.

She had fostered the girls for six months and had been hoping someone would adopt them together.

That made me even happier that we had chosen both of them.

And then suddenly…

paperwork was finished.

Photos were taken.

Final conversations happened.

And we were carrying two cats out to the car.

Poppy Had Other Plans

When we arrived home, I expected both girls to disappear under furniture for days.

Poppy had other plans.

Within a couple of hours she was following us around the house, rubbing against everyone, sitting on the couch, slow blinking, and meowing anytime she lost track of us.

At one point she followed me upstairs so closely I was afraid I’d step on her.

Posy was much more cautious.

She hid.

Watched.

Evaluated us from a safe distance.

But little by little she got closer.

First the stairs.

Then a chair in the living room.

Then eventually the couch with everyone else.

Poppy

The Midnight Zoomies

That first night went far better than I expected.

Around two in the morning, the girls were racing through the house with the kind of energy only young cats seem to possess.

Flying through hallways.

Chasing each other upstairs.

Running laps around a house they had only known for a few hours.

Their first-night zoomies were not something I had anticipated.

But honestly?

Seeing them play so confidently in a brand-new environment was reassuring.

The next morning was even better.

Every toy became a new discovery.

Toy mice.

Springs.

Balls.

Teaser toys.

If it was on the floor, they wanted to play with it.

The kids spent most of the morning laughing.

And watching that has probably been my favorite part of all of this.

And Somehow, They Were Home

For all the anticipation leading up to adoption day, I think this was the part I was most excited about without realizing it.

Watching them become part of our everyday life.

Poppy has already decided we belong to her.

Posy is still evaluating us.

As I write this, they’re asleep somewhere downstairs.

The house looks almost exactly the same as it did yesterday.

Just a sprinkle of cat toys scattered across the floor.

And yet it feels completely different.

A week ago, I was sitting on the back porch with a neighbor’s cat.

Today, there are two little sisters sleeping under our roof.

And somehow, after all the waiting, planning, driving, cleaning, shopping, worrying, and excitement…

they’re finally home. ❤️