Bryan and I had known for several years that adoption was in our future. We weren't quite sure when we would begin our adoption journey, but we just knew. After our youngest son, Bennett, was born, I had a sense that I had just given my last birth at Charlotte's Presbyterian Hospital. I even said those words aloud to Bryan as we walked slowly down the hallway towards the elevator when leaving the hospital. However, I knew Bennett was not our last child to join our family. We were not complete, and I felt it. Our three precious little boys fill our life with joy, love and laughter, and we could not think of anything better than to find our sweet mei-mei to share in all that we have to give.
Our quest for mei-mei began in March 2011 when we met with a huge-hearted couple who have an adopted daughter from China. They were a wealth of information which gave us a foundation for our journey. After contacting a few agencies, we were led to Holt International adoption agency by my mother-in-law. I knew in my first conversation with Holt that they were going to be our agency. They were sincere, honest and gave us undoubted hope that we would find our daughter. Sign us up! We're in!
Oh, but wait! It's not that simple. Documents, forms, notarizations, mailings, fingerprints, several visits with a social worker for the homestudy, parenting classes, physical exams, more documents, more forms, more fingerprints, more physical exams... There were many nights when I was surrounded by adoption paperwork that I would have to sit, focus and pray. I would pray for patience. When I was induced with Brycen, and just after I was started on Pitocin, I asked the nurse, "now, how long do you think this is going to take?" She responded in her southern accent, "honey, patience is a virtue." Well that labor lasted about 12 hours and ended in a c-section. I was patient! However, her comment is engrained in my head forever. Bryan and I always knew it would all be so worth it in the end. We knew when we finally put our hands on our daughter, our sons' mei-mei, we would forget about the stress and late nights of paperwork. Love has nothing on that paper trail.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
Well, we have been as patient as possible. The time is almost here for us to travel! In eight days, we will board our flight to Beijing to continue our quest for our mei-mei. We will leave as a family of five and return as a family of six. Complete! My dear brave mother is traveling with us to meet her little granddaughter and help with the care of our boys. I love that my mother applied for her first passport in September and her first international trip is to China! Nothing like starting big! I can't wait to take her picture on the Great Wall!
We now prepare. Crossing off items to pack on our numerous lists makes me happy. Trying to pack under 50 lbs. makes me frustrated. Seeing the excitement in Brycen, Finn and Bennett's eyes is priceless. Squeezing in as many date nights, play dates, meetings and special times with friends and family these last few weeks has been invigorating. Imagining the look on our daughter's face when she sees us is frightening. But with love and prayer, we are prepared for the challenges and know with patience and time, our mei-mei, Evelyn Jian, will live happily and joyfully as a Springer.
