"Meetcha" Day

Two years ago, we met our daughter. I remember every nuance of the day as if it were yesterday. I remember my stomach flopping over and over on the ride from Bishkek to Tokmok. I remember snapping photos like a mad woman on the ride over -- only to wear out the batteries and only be able to take a few pictures of "The Princess" when we got there.

I remember thinking it was surreal -- like I was outside my body watching it unfold to someone else.

I remember thinking it most certainly was NOT her when I saw her because she was SO LITTLE. I remember carrying her out and Josh and Kevin seeing her for the first time. She never once opened her eyes that day. Josh was afraid she was blind.

I remember how long her fingers were and how her hair had sweet little waves in it. I remember her number "U3" on her sleeper.

I remember seeing Aidai meeting her parents for the first time.

I remember it was hot and Ellie was SO BUNDLED up that I just knew she was smothering in all those clothes. I remember how we snuck her hat off her head just to see her hair.

I remember thanking God that we had finally found our daughter, after almost five long years of looking.

I remember all of us ... falling in love.