I Remember...

I remember like it was yesterday how I longed for a child, but God kept telling me to “Wait.” I remember how empty my arms felt and how hard it was seeing pictures of your Daddy and me because something always looked to be missing.

I remember like it was yesterday how I was on the floor painting the woodwork in your bedroom when Michele called. I remember how fast my heart started beating when she said, “Congratulations…It’s a GIRL!!” My hands were shaking as I opened the e-mail and saw the most beautiful baby staring back at me.

I remember like it was yesterday how I called your Daddy at work, with tears in my eyes, because God had blessed us in a mighty way. The butterfly on your bib in your referral picture was proof of that!

I remember like it was yesterday how I watched you grow in pictures, making my heart happy and sad all at the same time.

I remember like it was yesterday when we were told to book our plane tickets because we had our Embassy appointment date….February 24. I remember how my belly did flip flops as Papaw and Mamaw dropped us off at the airport and how I told everyone I met where we were going and why we were going there!

I remember like it was yesterday flying over Guatemala for the first time knowing that you were down there somewhere, not knowing your life was about to change.

I remember like it was yesterday waiting for you in the front parlor at the Hotel San Carlos where the manager kept wanting to make small talk with us. I remember I sat on the couch and it squeaked every time I moved.

I remember like it was yesterday how my heart skipped a beat when I first saw you. I asked our facilitator if he was “positive” this was OUR Crista, because you looked so tiny in his arms. I remember going up to you and talking softly to you and you gave out a little whimper, because you weren’t sure of what was going on.

I remember like it was yesterday how I loved you instantly.

I remember like it was yesterday how scared and sad you looked and how I wanted to do nothing else but comfort you and make you feel loved.

I remember like it was yesterday how you stared at me and I stared at you, getting to know one another.

I remember like it was yesterday how I tried all day to get that first grin out of you and then Daddy swooped in and managed not only your first smile, but also a giggle. You’ve been Daddy’s girl ever since.

I remember like it was yesterday how happy you were and how you scrunched up your nose when you were playing. I can still hear those sweet belly giggles that you gave so generously.

I remember like it was yesterday how you loved to suck on your middle two fingers, but only on your left hand.

I remember like it was yesterday walking back from our Embassy Appointment, so completely excited because everything was official…you were ours!!

I remember like it was yesterday how warm the sun felt on my face while we took our very first family picture.

I remember like it was yesterday your first tub bath and how you screamed and cried the whole time. After that you only got sponge baths. That was the only time you cried.

I remember like it was yesterday studying those long black eyelashes and wondering if they could possibly be any longer. I loved how they framed those dark chocolate eyes of yours.

I remember like it was yesterday how you would be playing one minute and in a split second roll over and be sound asleep.

I remember like it was yesterday how we missed your Great Papaw and Great Mamaw’s 60th wedding anniversary. But I’m pretty sure they understood!

I remember like it was yesterday packing up, ready to leave Guatemala, knowing the next time our family saw us my arms would no longer be empty.

I remember like it was yesterday rounding the corner at the Indianapolis International Airport, and seeing family waiting to meet you. I remember a flood of emotions, but I mostly remember being so proud to finally introduce my daughter.

I remember like it was yesterday how I felt my dream had finally come true. It's been etched on my heart forever! I remember exactly how your Daddy and I said if you were the only child God gave us, how we would be thankful, every day, for this most perfect gift. You were and still are everything we ever could have dreamt of.

I remember it all perfectly.

Happy 3rd Forever Family Day, Crista!
We love you!!