On Monday night, Gowalla’s very own Sherry Birk brought home her 9 month old daughter from Ethiopia. It was a homecoming that was a long time in the works. 

Sherry started the adoption process more than a year ago in June 2010, and finally received a referral—and a picture of her new baby daughter, Zuri—in January 2011.  In May, she travelled to Africa to meet Zuri for the first time, returning with photos, stories and a heartfelt desire to bring home her baby girl. All of us here are Gowalla were anxious to meet Zuri too, but we passed the time by pestering Sherry for updates and hosting a Happy Hour for a Cause at The Belmont in Austin. (Which, sadly, has recently closed. Pour one out for the Belmont!) 

On September 5th, Sherry received embassy approval to pick up Zuri, made travel plans with her excursion buddy Paige, and headed to Ethiopia. In the days after their departure, we followed, commented and “loved” Sherry and Paige’s photo-filled stories on Gowalla.

This Monday, Sherry at last returned to Austin with baby Zuri in tow, and we were finally able to start a story of our own with them. Here it is.