Our story began after the birth of our second son. The doctor recommended
that due to the difficulties I experienced during each of the pregnancies,
it would be best to not have any more. At that exact moment my husband and
I agreed that one day we would adopt a child.
That day didn't come for nine years, but when it did finally arrive, what an experience it was! We started paperwork with EAC on Father’s Day 2003 and received our referral one year later. Our boys were then thirteen and ten years old, and our new daughter was nine months old--talk about your "age gaps"!
»...all I remember is holding Katie and being awed by this beautiful gift we had been given.
My husband and I traveled to China on July 28, 2004, and met Zhou and the rest of our group one day later at the hotel in Beijing. We had never even met Zhou. What an amazing man he is! We did a few days of sight seeing (The Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the silk factory, etc.) A great time was had by all, and it gave us all a chance to adjust to the time difference before getting the babies.
From Beijing we flew to Chongqing and less than twelve hours later boarded a bus for the two hour drive to the orphanage in Fuling. There was so much excitement and nervousness in the air!
When we FINALLY
arrived, we were escorted upstairs to the girls’ rooms. All five babies were
dressed and waiting for us! I will never forget seeing my daughter face to
face for the first time. She let me hold her tightly in my arms and laid her
head on my shoulder. When my husband held her, she gripped him tightly as if
to say "Don’t let me go!" It was the most moving moment either of us had
ever experienced. All five of the babies were healthy and very well cared
for. The orphanage genuinely cared for these children. The trip back to the
hotel is a blur because all I remember is holding Katie and being awed by
this beautiful gift we had been given.
The rest of the trip was exciting, but after two weeks I was EXTREMELY anxious to get back to our boys. They were equally anxious to meet their new sister. When that fateful day arrived, we pulled into the driveway where there was a HUGE "Welcome Home Katie" tarp hanging from the garage. Katie was instantly in love with her brothers and the feeling was reciprocated.
Now, fifteen months later, it is safe to say that she literally runs our household! The entire experience was incredible. Our family owes a great deal to EAC and especially to Zhou, who is truly the hero for our daughter! We can't wait to get started on our next round of paperwork. Max and Spencer think Katie needs a sister! Thank you, EAC, and thank you, Zhou-you are the greatest!
Presented by European Adoption Consultants, Inc.