In an Instant

I'm not sure where to begin?  This has all been the most fascinating, emotional, exhilarating,exhausting, blissful and memorable journey of a lifetime.  The moments of overwhelming joy have, by far, outdone the scattered feelings of frustration. 

Tom and I just completed our third full day with amazing Tiffany and we are blessed beyound words.  Let me jot down my thoughts of our "family forever" day...the day Tiffany was put in our arms for the first time.

After taking a three hour flight from Beijing to Guiyang, Guizhou we were escorted to the hotel which took a quick 30 minutes.  My heart was racing the entire ride, my eyes were set on the sites as we zoomed down the busy city streets, my hands were clenched within the comfort of Tom's palms and my head was a bit dizzy.  As we approached the hotel the most powerful feeling of truth and reality swept through me like a tidal wave.  We arrived at 5:30 pm and a group dinner was served at 6:00 pm.  Dinner was almost impossible to enjoy.  To be completely honest, I felt a bit quizzy.  I couldn't stand the anticipation much longer. 

"Please all gather in the 3rd floor lounge to meet your children at 8:00 pm," instructed our guide Jenny.  I looked at my watch.  It was 7:15 pm!  Tom and I made a mad dash to our room where we gathered our camera, video and gifts for Tiffany's foster family.  My heart was racing!  At 7:30 pm Tom and I decided to go to the second floor main lounge to wait since sitting in our room was pure torture.  From the 2nd floor lounge we could clearly see the 1st floor entrance and lobby which was bustling with activity.  We decided to watch the people below until 8:00 pm.  We figured this would distract us well.

As I looked at the lobby, one floor below us, I noticed one particular child playing with her family.  This little girl was captivating.  I couldn't take my eyes off of her.  She was dressed in a bright orange coat with a mouse hood and blue pants with checkered cuffs.  Here hood was draped over her head so I couldn't see her face.  What I saw was her walking, like a drunk duck.  One little step at a time.  As she moved across the large lobby floor her grandmother cheered and clapped to reward her every step.  The grandmother was loud and charismatic.  The little girl, in all her charm, was magnetic.  I was drawn to her every move, so much so that I began to film her interacting with her grandmother and taking great pride in her conquering the walking game.  She would make strides, turn to her grandmother and extend a gigantic smile. 

I couldn't stand being away from this amazing child, I wanted to go closer.  I went downstairs to just watch her every move.  As I approached the little girl, in her mouse attire, she immediately noticed me.  She didn't hesitate and just as quickly as I could approach the bottom step she was walking toward me with her arms extended and a smile from ear to ear to greet me.  I extended my arms to receive her welcome and just as quickly as she touched my hands she turned and retreated back to the familiarity and comfort of her grandmother.  The grandmother nodded her head with pride and I returned the gesture.  The power of this child cannot be explained.  She warmed my heart in an instant and took all my worries away.

"Lauren, it's nearly 8:00 pm," shouted Tom from the 2nd floor, "we should go to the third floor to meet Tiffany now."  I had lost all track of time.  My connection to this little girl had captivated me.  I had been so taken by her funny nature, her fresh first steps, her love for her grandmother, her warm welcome to me, her happy eyes, her full checks, her enormous smile and her little mouse outfit. 

I was keeping the special and unique interaction I had had with this little girl in my thoughts as I walked back up to be with Tom.  He had been watching the whole thing.  "Do you think that could be Tiffany," ask Tom?  The thought hadn't crossed my mind but as I processed his question I secretly hoped that I would feel the same immediate connection to Tiffany as I did the little girl who walked like a drunken duck.

As Tom and I began to walk away we heard Jenny's voice.  "Lauren.  Tom.  Tiffany is here!"  Jenny had noticed us at the top of the stairs, she was standing in the lobby now.  "She down here.  Wait there, we will come to you."  Jenny called.  I began shouting for Tom to get the camera.  I grabbed the video.  I could hear the stampede of feet climbing the steps and they were almost to the 2nd floor where we stood.  Hearts were pounding.  My eyes were glued to the top of the stairs.  Suddenly faces appeared.  It was the same grandmother that I had been watching only moments ago and in her arms was a little girl, the same little girl in the mouse outfit.  The same little girl that took her fragile first steps towards me. The same little girl that I had jumped into my heart upon my first sighting of her.

The grandmother extended her arms toward me, only this time she was offering me the little girl in them.  That little girl WAS our Tiffany!  In that instant our prayers had been answered and my heart, which had been broken for too long, felt full again. 

Comments

[Leslie Overbye]

Oh Lauren,
That was the most wonderful thing I have ever read! I have tears in my eyes. Congratulations!!!!
Love,
Leslie

[meg (cawli)]

Ok, so, I have been watching your blog everyday.
I did not post before because I did not want to seem too nosey.
But, this was the most moving post that I had to just tell you ,that the feeling it evoked in me, was as if I was there with you.
Thank you for sharing this.
I am so thrilled for you all.

[Theresa Milewski]

Hello! My name is Theresa and I manage the center that your brother, John, has one of his offices in. He happened to be talking about you guys and how you were in China to get your new baby girl and how you had been blogging about it.

I mentioned that I had been adopted from Korea when I was about a year old and that I'd love to read the blog so he sent it over.

It has been so great to read your postings. I wish that back when I was adopted that this had existed! As I read your posts I could imagine how my own parents felt when they were picking me up at Logan airport (it was not as common back then for families to go to the birth country to pick up the children - I think it's great that this has become the norm though!).

Tiffany will be so lucky to be able to look back on the day she became a part of your family through the pictures, the videos and especially the thoughts that you two have put down on paper.

I love the pictures of her. She is beautiful! And I'm sure that as the days go by the attachment will grow.

Since I was a bit younger when I was adopted and I came from an orphanage rather than from a foster family I think I became attached quicker to my parents since I was probably ready for it! But I was telling John that a month or so after I was adopted a Korean lady wanted to hold me and as the story goes, as soon as I was handed over I screamed and screamed and was upset all night. So I certainly was pretty bonded with my family by then and wanted nothing to do with what probably reminded me of the time before I joined them!

I'm looking forward to reading future posts and I wish the three of you all the best!

[Rob]

What a great story of love and happiness! We too are overwhelmed by emotions and are counting the days for you three to return. We look forward to many wonderful times together and know Tiffany will be right in the mix of all the fun and laughter. Thanks for sharing what will undoubtedly be one of the happiest moments of your lives.

[Maria]

What a wonderful story!!!!! I have tears in my eyes. You see, Tiffany was meant to be your daughter. You both had a special connection from the moment you saw each other. There is always a good reason for everything. All my love, Maria

[Kari]

Wow. What an amazing and touching story of how you came to meet your daughter! I love the picture of the three of you snuggling together. You make a beautiful family. Wishing you happy and safe travels until you are home!

[bethstrachan]

Lauren and Tommy, Thank you so much for posting this! It is unbelievable that the little girl that you were watching was your daughter - it was meant to be. I am so happy for you and your beautiful family. Enjoy your trip and can't wait to meet our niece. Lots of Love, Beth

[Ben Fawcett]

What a great story! We are so happy for you guys!

[Meredith Fogarty]

It's so wonderful to follow your journey via this website. Tiffany is so beautiful and your story with the "girl in the lobby" brought tears to my eyes. All my love, Meredith

[Erica]

That story completely captivated me and gave me chills! Thank you so much for sharing it and this whole journey you are on! Much love, Erica

[Whitney]

She was waiting for you all along, your little angel waiting for you to come and get her. What a lovely story, I'm so happy for you.

Love, Whit

[Richard Strachan]

Tom & Lauren,

Just catching up to all of these posts. I must say I am a bit overwhelmed with emtions after reading your story of the first day with Tiffany. Your words were amazing I can only imgine your feelings at the moment your realized that brillaint little girl ws Tiffany. I have been moved from all of your posting and pictures absolutily an amzing journey that you have begun. I can not wiat to hug your daughter and welcome her to our fmaily. Gus and the rest of the gang cant wiat to meet Tiffany.

With all of my Love,

Richard

[Jim and Denise Plunkett]

Seems like the most surprising and beautiful moment in your lives. Thanks for making our lives brighter too by sharing this special time. It's incredible to hear everyones comments as well. By now I'm sure you're aware what fantastic devoted parents you both are. Love, Jimmy and Denise

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOMMY!!!

[Stephanie Recupero]

What a beautifully written and incredibly touching story! The image you describe in detail so vividly captures the magical moment and it is as if we were all there to witness your first meeting. There are probably no such things as "coincidences". You were meant to spiritually connect to her before your physical meeting. Thank you so much for sharing!! And, what a wonderful memory of your long anticipated journey! Much love, Stephanie

[Lindsey Wolfington]

WOW! What an amazing story and memory to keep with you forever! I am so happy for you guys to finally have your beautiful little baby!! Best wishes for a future of health and happiness with Tiffany! xoxo- Lindsey

[Mark Wolfington]

Lauren & Tom,

Incredible! You guys look great and Tiffany is a cutie. She has a great laugh. We are thrilled to hear the news and have a few (only 5...) new friends ready to meet her on the beach in HP. Pictures are worth a 1,000 words and it is obvious you guys have slipped right into parenthood. Awesome.

All the best,

Mark