Meeting Kate

(Turn off the music at the bottom of the page before you watch.  Sorry the quality is poor Y*utube stripped the music).

Today is the day I met my daughter two years ago.   Words will never be adequate enough describe the magic of that moment. You see, my whole life, I knew God had planned for her. I always knew. Always.

Probably as a mode of self-protection, I set my expectations low for the beginning.  I had read a lot about adoption and attachment and how it is all a process. I knew that I might not feel the immediate bond.  She was a stranger.  I was a stranger. She had never seen a woman with blonde hair.  She had just traveled for 25 hours with an ear infection. I knew that many adoptive Moms feel like a babysitter for a while. I thought I might feel that way too.  It is normal.  However, I was fortunate.  The moment Kate and I looked at each other....there was a spark.  We both knew. We knew that we were meant to be Mom and daughter.  Luckily, that moment was recorded on video and film (well DSLR).

This was the moment.  I swear there was electricity in the air as she looked right into my eyes. I knew I was her Mom and she knew she was my daughter.  She did not shed one tear.  She did not pull away from me.  She was completely comfortable in my arms.

I must be honest here.  I know many people who read this are embarking on adoption. Kate Emerson is a little "high maintenance."  She is sweet and happy and smart and funny.  But she arrived with some baggage (they all do). Any child who is cared for by one person for their infancy and then suddenly given to another person will have some issues (even if they have little or no memory, even if they are only 10 months old as Kate was). It was not all happiness and light. She does not trust easily. We can rarely use babysitters with her. She has pushed my buttons more than Will and Harry ever did as toddlers. She has had more illnesses, more attachment issues, more sleep issues and she is quite opinionated. 

But as I have said before, I had to earn her love, earn her trust.  And because of that our bond runs incredibly deep.  Kate has taught me more about myself and more about life than any other person.  God knew that would happen too.  She is a great blessing and I love her to the very depths of my soul.

Tonight we will celebrate our forever family day.  We will sing and have a treat with 2 candles for the 2 years Kate Emerson has been in our family.  Later tonight, I will write her a letter as I did last year.

As a note to myself....this is our third April 4th with Kate and she has been very sick for all of them. I noticed in looking back at last year's Forever Family posts, I wrote that Kate was sick. She is sick now again. She had two good days this week and now is relapsing.  And she came home from China two years ago with a fever and bad ear infection.  I wonder what it is about this time of year for her.

I will post photos and my letter tomorrow or Monday:)