As you grow

My precious little girl,

 

Our hearts are full of so many things as we blow out your birthday candle on this side of the ocean. There is hope that next year, your daddy will lift you up and hold you as all three of us blow out the number 4. There's a little sadness because we miss you even though we haven't met you, yet. There is comfort as we know now you have heard our voices and you know that somewhere far away there is a mommy and a daddy who desperately long to hold you. We love you very much. There is joy as we stare at the pictures of you celebrating your birthday, laughing as someone guides your hand to cut the cake. Gone are the tears from last year's picture. You've grown from a sweet baby into a beautiful little girl.

 

It made me so happy to see you surrounded by the other children and being celebrated on your special day. We celebrated you here, too. Several friends came over to your Golly's house. You will meet them all one day. Each one already loves you and can't wait to meet you! We talked and laughed and sang. I can't wait until the day that your little voice will join in. We thought about you a lot. There were children there laughing and playing. In my heart, I could see you out there giggling right along with them. We sang to you. Could you hear us? All of me hopes that you could feel the love that was being poured over you. When it got dark, everyone went outside. We lit special lanterns that flew into to the sky. It was so pretty to watch these colored lights float away. Each one carried a prayer, a lot of love, and a wish that you will be beside us on this day next year. I wish I could tell you how many people already love you and how much your story touches everyone who hears it. You are treasured, little girl.

Some time has passed since the night that these lanterns flew. And we have taken some very important steps closer to the day that Daddy and I will bring you home. We have finished all of the paperwork that needs to be done for our country to say you can come home. Letters have been forwarded and approvals received. Now all Mommy and Daddy can do is wait. We are waiting for things to happen in your country. Government officials in your state will say they approve of our adoption next. Then we wait for another important letter. This one will say that there are no objections to your adoption going forward. Then our case will go to court. When the judge says that you are finally a legal part of our family, Daddy and I will start getting ready to make the journey that will bring you home. It will still be many months before we get there, but we are coming, dear one, as quickly as we can!

One day soon, we will get to watch you as you discover new things, learn about being part of a family, and grow, grow, grow. For now, we watch you grow in pictures. I can see that you are becoming more confident in who you are and what you can do. That smile just gets bigger every time I see it. It breaks my heart that we are missing so much of your life right now, but we can also see that you are being cared for with so much love. And that makes your mommy very happy!

I love you so much, my precious daughter. Grow, play, laugh, learn, and love! We will be with you soon.

With all my heart,

mommy