Since the last time

Never mind what can happen in six weeks.

Six words is more than enough to change everything: “Meg called. We got our match.”

 

Jade Yanghui

Those were the words, and this was the first photo — the first sight — I had of our daughter. When Kim and I started the adoption process, we fully expected this day would come. But the call was still a surprise. A big surprise. I’m told that in those first few moments I turned white. I wouldn’t doubt it — I know my head was pounding.

Even though we’ve been working toward this point for a long time, suddenly the work left to be done seemed like a mountain right in our path. But every look at our girl’s photos was more than enough of a motivator to get where we needed to go. And as soon as possible.

 

Jade Yanghui

This amazing little girl, who turns 2 in January, is waiting for us in China. And I can’t wait for the day when we can go get her. Right now, we don’t know exactly when that will be.

Before that call, before those six words, it had been an October like many others: Kim’s birthday, my birthday, and fall colors. Just days before Jade Yanghui came into our lives, we took a trip to Borderland to appreciate the season.

 

Borderland

 

 

Borderland

 

 

Borderland

 

 

But I’m betting that next October, however, will be unlike any prior October for us. Yes, we’ll be doing many of the same things, but with a new life and new soul who will certainly be the center of our universe. (And, yes, it will also mean after a decades-long break, I can return to the world of costumes and trick-or-treating.)