Ten years passed. Life moved on, full of the joys and challenges that come with family, work, and routine. My husband and I celebrated twenty-two years of marriage. Our children, Emily and Caleb, were growing fast—Emily preparing for high school graduation, and Caleb navigating the chaos of being fourteen.

 

One quiet Tuesday evening, as I sat in the living room sorting through bills, there was a knock at the door. Opening it, I found a police officer standing on the porch. My heart leapt with panic, thoughts racing to my children.

“Good evening, ma’am,” he said. “Are you Anna?”