Has it really been two years....

7 familes sat in a "waiting room" in China, eagerly anticipating the delivery of our beautiful bouncing Tonguu girls. Their arrival caused quite a stir...and our lives were forever changed.

I knew it was her the moment I laid eyes upon her, she was second into the room and her long dark hair hanging to her shoulders gave her away long before I saw her face. I rushed across the room to get a closer look and nealt before her, sitting forelorn on her nanny's knee. She just gazed at me without a flicker of expression, but not a bit of fear. She did not cry, this brave little child dress in a green Minnie Mouse suit, pink sandals with strawberry barretts in her hair.

There was commotion; I could hear Li Ping calling out names in the background - I am not even sure when he called ours but suddenly the nanny stood up and brought Tong Min Se to us and placed her in my arms. She smelled so good, earthy and fresh. I remember the smell of grain, like a freshly threshed wheat field. Then she started getting a bit restless and I wanted photos so I handed her to Daddy. Her expression never changed those first few moments, she faced this whole new world and strangers with strange eyes with not a tear in those beautiful brown eyes. We sat down with her and lost ourselves in her immediately.

By the time they'd called our name to go complete the adoption paperwork, she was beginning to perk up and show us her personality. She sat upright and gripped the edge of the executive desk, looking very regal and sure of herself. Amusing herself and the room with her captive demeanor and vivacious personality.

Within moments we were wisked away by our directors, whom did an awesome job of keeping us all on track that day. It was a whirlwind after that and I don't remember much about what happened around us because I couldn't take my eyes off of Jaiden. She; this most perfect child and so full of life and vivid personality. As I write this today, two years later I still can't hold back the tears of wonder and awe that come bubbling up. How blessed we are to be holding such a wonder of life. I don't know how we ever lived before her. Our lives are so full of her, she lights up our days with joy and simple goodness. At times her headstrong demeanor challenges us beyond our years of parental knowledge and at these times I wish that she'd come with instructions...but even then I love her...with a deep strong emotion I didn't know I was capable of feeling. I know I would defend her with my very life and there is nothing that I wouldn't do to ensure her happiness. At times I wonder if it is us that is teaching her or her teaching us...to be stronger, braver, more assertive...in turn I hope we are teaching her unconditional love, kindness, strength of character, faith. We have so much to learn from each other. So many years of joy and fullfillment to share.

We forged a bond on this day. A bond with 7 families that live miles apart. Our bond runs deep and can never be broken. It is a bond of life, joined by the red thread of China that flows from the hearts our daughters and binds us together as one family. As our daughters share this bond, so we share it as their families. I am so grateful to God to have had the chance to travel to China, to meet these families and to grow to know each other, to laugh and cry together as we watched our daughters adapt to their new Mommies and Daddies. Although miles separate us now and we miss seeing them every day, I know when we meet again the years will melt away and it will seem as though we never parted.

So today I thank God, I thank China and mostly I thank a very special unknown someone who had the courage, the strength of character, the kindness and the faith to place her child under the archway of the orphanage and walk away. That first step must have been the hardest move she has ever made and yet she had the courage to take it. I've often heard it said "a hero lies within us" and looking into Jaiden's eyes, I know it is true.