Words are hard to find as I fight back tears trying to make sense of this amazing moment as I write this almost two months later (posted date on 03/15/13- actually written on 05/06/13).
We finally arrived home about 12 hours later than expected after spending the night in Atlanta. We were clean, refreshed, and oh so excited to be heading home...FINALLY. Although we were devastated we missed our special homecoming party we knew all was in HIS timing and tried to be thankful for our flawless trip to China, our seamless finalization of our adoption process, a happy healthy well adjusting baby girl, and great health for the past 2 weeks but it was hard missing our special reunion with our loved ones. We HATED knowing our parents had to spend another night in Austin waiting to meet their granddaughter. Oh and did we mention how badly we wanted to sleep in our own beds?!
Our morning flight was on time and easy. We were so excited as our plane began to descend we changed Lottie into her red, white & blue. We laughed and cried at the same time that finally we were home. We departed the flight smiling ear to ear. It was a little sad knowing most of our friends would be at work on a Friday at 10 am, but ultimately we were so so thankful to be home. We began to exit the terminal and head to baggage claim, eager to see the faces who could be there to welcome us home.
Well like we mentioned all in HIS plans, we were SHOCKED to see so many of our family members who chose to be there flying across the country to see Charlotte even if it was only few hours. Can you say amazing and so meant to be. HE wanted us to really focus on what mattered...FAMILY. Oh it was so amazing to see all the smiling faces who we had no idea would be meeting us at the bottom of the stairs. It was so intimate and beyond anything I could have planned. (I am usually a bigger is better kinda of gal-so this was so perfect and obviously the best kind of homecoming)
Lottie just took to everyone, she smiled and laughed, and clapped her little hands. She is so full of life and love. Its a joy to see her go to anyone and how much she adores to be loved. We read what all the experts say- but how could we not pass this beauty around to all these people who have loved her so for so long. This moment will forever be ingrained in my memory. It was one of those magical, couldn't go better, take your breath away kind of day.
A HUGE overwhelming THANK YOU to THE ARCHIBALD PROJECT for these gorgeous photographs documenting this amazing moment. The founders Whitney & Nick were heading to LA the day we arrived (since we were arriving a day later) they actually hired a photographer to be at the airport to capture these special moments. It was truly an amazing blessing and we are forever grateful! Looking for a new way to support adoption? Think about donating to this wonderful cause. Learn more here!
