we were waiting by the phone . . . pacing the floors . . . praying . . . tracking DHL online . . . eating junk food . . . crying . . . waiting . . . surrounded by friends . . . .
and then this happened
The long awaited phone call . . . a name . . . a location . . . an age. All those months of waiting culminating in one very brief phone conversation.
And then the waiting began again as we watched our inbox . . . more tears . . . more pacing . . . more friends arrived . . .
and then we saw this
I wish I could tell you some kind of profound words came out of my mouth when I first laid eyes on that little face . . . but I'm pretty sure the conversation went something like this:
"Oh, look at her, look at her, look at her!!!!"
"I think she might need a comb over - check out that hair!"
"She has little Yoda ears, don't ya think?"
"Oh, she's just adorable . . . so cute . . . crazy cute . . . right . . . I mean she is cute, right, it's not just me? Please someone tell me she's as cute as I think she is!!!"
Profound. Deeply profound, don't you all agree?
Last February 28th was an amazing day. It wasn't just amazing because we finally saw our Katie Mei, it was amazing because we were surrounded by so much love and laughter. We received gazillions of emails that day by friends near and far . . . from email buddies, family friends, friends of friends, you name it. Our house was a constant stream of friends here in town, all wanting to catch a glimpse of the long-awaited, long prayed-for, Katie Mei. I can not even begin to express what a treat it was to share our day with so many . . . and that so many wanted to participate in the day with us.
We recognize that Katie belongs to God first . . . He created her, He has sustained her, He has loved her from the very start. And now Katie belongs to us through the miracle of adoption . . . we worked for her, waited for her, prayed for her. But Katie belongs to all of you, too. So many of you held our hands, watched our kids, prayed with us and for us, knit scarves for kids in China, emailed us, called us and most importantly loved Katie and prayed for her, right from the start.
She really belongs to all of us . . . she is a blessed child indeed, to be so wanted and so loved by so many.
Absolutely amazing, isn't it?!?!? God is SO good!!
Posted by: BeckyB | February 28, 2007 at 08:42 AM
Time flies when you're having fun! Right!!?? Someone remind me of that while I wait for those TAs. Congrats! I bet you have had an awesome year!
Posted by: Rachelle | February 28, 2007 at 02:33 PM
So true that our adopted children belong to "all of us". She is our daughter, and yet through the process, so many have claimed a connection to the princess. Just how that Katie Mei has claimed a piece of MY heart! :)
Posted by: Lisa | March 01, 2007 at 05:33 AM
YAY!!! I remember waiting to see your Katie Mei. Love to you and your whole family today! : )
Posted by: Jenny | March 02, 2007 at 10:44 AM
I always imagine that referral day is right up there with Gotcha day in many ways. You captured your day so well! What a beautiful recollection of the day and its significance
Posted by: Jane | March 04, 2007 at 02:46 AM