The First Time We Held You

My dear little Bereket,
One year ago today I saw you for the first time. I held you. Daddy and I passed you back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. We had waited three years to meet you. Three years that seemed like a lifetime.

Jason kisses his daughter for the first time

I still remember what it felt like standing at the bottom of the stairs at the Hilawe Foundation where you lived.  Once your nannies were ready, we would climb up to the 3rd floor and there you would be! My stomach was racing! Would you cry when you saw me? (Yes, you did!) Would you smile? (Not even for a second!).  Did you want to bop us with the plastic bowling pin you fiercely held in your hand? (I think so!) But you were loved.  More than you'll ever know. You always will be.

Just look at that face!

It broke our hearts that we couldn't get you to smile that day, but we understood. We were just two of the many strange faces you'd seen in and out of the care center during your time there. You didn't know yet that we'd be back for you, that we'd hop the very first plane we could once all the paperwork was approved. We looked  at this first family photo so many times as we waited those three anxious months to be able bring you home. And once we were allowed to return to Ethiopia in early October, you were ready to smile for us! Nothing would ever be able to separate the three of us ever again!



First family photo  July 27, 2011 Addis Ababa