Lilly, Sweet Lilly

Six years ago today my heart grew ten times its size. 

We flew half way across the world. 

We saw the Great Wall of China. 

The Forbidden City. 

Tiananmen Square. 

Then we boarded a plane from Beijing to Nanchang.

We were told by our guide Dennis to get settled in our hotel room and freshen up and then return to the lobby. The lobby filled up one by one with families who were filled to overflowing with joy and anticipation at what was about to happen. We piled on a big bus, rode a half hour thru a city we had never seen, packed ourselves onto an elevator like sardines and then entered the holiest of rooms.

The room where our daughter sat on the lap of one of her 'aunties'. 

The room where we would become parents for the fourth time. 

The room that changed the shape of my heart. 

We watched one by one as other families names were called out. 

We watched their joyous tears. 

Then we heard our own names. 

And then.......

they placed the sweetest baby in our arms. 

Our baby. 

I am so grateful for all the mysterious things, both big and small, that conspired to bring us to that exact moment.

 Lilly has graced us with her wisdom, her charm, 

her contagious joy and infectious laugh. 

She is a gift beyond measure. 

I will never, ever forget that day. 

Lilly....my sweet, sweet girl....

you are the bees knees 

the cats meow 

the frosting on the cake 

the glitter

the gold 

Thank you for calling on my heart precious girl.  

I love you.