One year ago

One year ago we landed at Dulles and made the trek to WV, so Jacinda could meet the family. I remember making plans for our return trip was a point of concern for me. I had read that many people offered words of wisdom to downplay the arrival and keep it to just close family...some even recommended noone, but the child's adoptive parents/siblings for a couple of weeks. I read the advice and even considered it, but it just didn't seem to fit. So I chucked the advice and followed my own instincts and made my own plans for a return home...and it couldn't have been better!

Our dear friends Kim & Whitney picked us up from the airport and we headed to a hotel near my parents home in WV. When we arrived, my mom, dad, brother, sister--in-law and niece were all there. We had some introductions, hugs and kisses and lots of SMILES! Then other close friends and relatives started arriving. It was a wonderful homecoming and I will always cherish that moment in time.

Looking back a year later...I couldn't have known then that these people she met in that hotel lobby would be the ones surrounding and supporting our family daily. That in a few mere months WV would be OUR home too. I just knew that I wanted Jacinda to know that she was part of something bigger than a single-parent family. That she was going to be loved by tons of aunts, uncles and cousins and many other very special people. And a year later as I listen to her describe her family to people...she talks about having too many cousins to count and lots of aunts and uncles and will even argue that she has the biggest family...I think she gets it!