Three years ago today, we met our then 26-month-old daughter for the first time. We had traveled nearly 30 hours, to the other side of the world. We stood there, in a hotel lobby, impatiently waiting for the clock to strike 10:00 am, when she would arrive. We had been told to go to the conference room to wait, but we were gifted with our first look right there in the lobby, as we arrived a few minutes early, and so did she! Right before our eyes, she was brought into the hotel. We weren't expecting to see her at that moment but suddenly, after nearly 18 months since starting our adoption journey, there she was.
Prior to that exact moment, there was uncertainly, there was fear, there was anxiety, there were tears, there were doubts.
And then we saw her, and instantly, there was immediate, heart-stopping, breath-taking, all-encompassing love.
She was ours. We were hers. And so, our story began.
_______________________
Here we are, three years later. And what a wild, crazy, unprecedented, unexpected year it has been (#Covid). This may sound crazy but...quarantine may be the best thing that happened for our Bella this year. You see, while our girl has been making slow but steady developmental progress since we brought her home three years ago, over the last six months, coinciding with the time we were all suddenly and unexpectedly quarantined at home together, her development has exploded! She is talking more than ever, getting stronger by the day, and tackling all kinds of therapy goals. We are just so proud of her and how hard she works. Many things don't come easily and automatically for our Bellaboo, but you would never know it from the absolute joy she spreads wherever she goes.
Prior to that exact moment, there was uncertainly, there was fear, there was anxiety, there were tears, there were doubts.
And then we saw her, and instantly, there was immediate, heart-stopping, breath-taking, all-encompassing love.
She was ours. We were hers. And so, our story began.
Here we are, three years later. And what a wild, crazy, unprecedented, unexpected year it has been (#Covid). This may sound crazy but...quarantine may be the best thing that happened for our Bella this year. You see, while our girl has been making slow but steady developmental progress since we brought her home three years ago, over the last six months, coinciding with the time we were all suddenly and unexpectedly quarantined at home together, her development has exploded! She is talking more than ever, getting stronger by the day, and tackling all kinds of therapy goals. We are just so proud of her and how hard she works. Many things don't come easily and automatically for our Bellaboo, but you would never know it from the absolute joy she spreads wherever she goes.
Truly, everyone should be so lucky as to have such a source of light and inspiration in their lives every day. You cannot be around her and not feel happy. It's virtually impossible, I tell ya. ;) And our girl has big things ahead of her! She'll be starting her second year of dance with two of her favorite friends <3, continuing her weekly therapy regimen (although we will have to say farewell to two of the best therapists in the world - who have been with her since the days after we brought her home - since she is aging out of their program), and....going to kindergarten!!!!! That's right: our littlest Lu is off to the big leagues!
There are simply not enough words to explain how much our Bella means to our family. I cannot imagine life without her, and we are so very thankful for God's plan for our lives, together. Today, we are so happy to be celebrating exactly three years to the day of when we met the most beautiful, most joyful, most inspirational little wee warrior. How lucky we are to have our girl here with us, continuing to spread light and love, three years later. Onward we march, together. <3
_______________________
Bella Elizabeth,
You are an answered prayer. You are a dream come true. You are proof that God hears, and answers, prayers, in His perfect and holy timing. You are light. You are love. You are joy. You are ours. We are yours. And we absolutely adore you. Happy three years HOME, baby girl. We've gotcha, now and forever.
With All My Heart,
Momma
A father to the fatherless and a defender of widows is God in His holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families. Psalm 68: 5-6.
_______________________
(Year 2 video posted here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQQ1T2l4go0)
(Year 1 video posted here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDaIREXM-Fk)
No comments:
Post a Comment