It's Time to Keep a Promise

Dear Mia, 

These past two weeks have been amazing. They really have! From the anxiety your mommy and I felt the few days before leaving to come get you, throughout the entire adoption experience in China, to this very moment, our lives are forever changed. 

It is the middle of the afternoon here in Guangzhou, and you are taking a nap. We had a little bit of a challenge getting you down, but it will all be worth it when we begin traveling tonight. As much as we have enjoyed our time with you in China, and would not trade any of it for the world, our world is incomplete. 

On the other side of the globe, there is a little boy (who should be) fast asleep. I say, "little boy," but there isn't much little about him any more. He is nearly as tall as I am, has very similar hair as I do, though he wears it quite a bit longer. He loves music and plays several instruments quite well! He is good with computers. He developing a strong sense of faith. He is quiet and gentle like your mommy, and has a strong sense of what is right and wrong. He is the kind of person that others naturally want to be around, and even though he reserves his words for saying what is really important, he is a natural leader. He is generous, extremely smart, wise beyond his years, and carries a deep sense of compassion for others. He is as fine as they come. His name is Ethan. He is your brother. 

We have shown you pictures of Ethan, and you have seen him on video chats when we were able to sustain an Internet connection. You have shown him your heart-melting smile, giggled for him a time or two, and helped him to see the specialness that is you. But we are separated by a time difference of 12 hours and 8,000 miles. And as this day draws to a close, so will our time in China. We will board a plane and begin our long trek to take you to your home...to Mia's place. The same place where you're brother is currently sleeping and preparing for one more day of school this week.

As eager as we were to come get you, we were just as anxious about leaving Ethan. We missed the first 3+ years of your life, but we have never been away from Ethan this long in his 13+ years. And even though we have had fun and enjoyed getting to know you, we missed our dear son on the other side of the world. Your brother. Our Ethan. He has missed us, too. 

He has been sick while we were away, but your Nannie and Poppie stayed and took great care of him. But hopefully, as you are beginning to glean, there is nothing like the love of a mommy and daddy. As we have been here holding you, singing to you, dancing with you, and even fighting with you on occasion, there was a part of us that felt incomplete and wanted to be with him.

Some day we will show you the movie, "The Wizard of Oz." It is a classic story about the quest for one's soul while searching for wisdom, heart, and courage...the very things your mommy and I have experienced in this journey to get you. One of the biggest take-away lessons from that movie is, that in many cases, you have it where you have your home. There are exceptions, of course — which is why mommy and I came to get you — but as this part of our journey comes to an end, we are feeling the words echoing in our hearts that Dorothy said as she clicked her heels three times: "There's no place like home. There's no place like home. There's no place like home."

Home is indeed where the heart is, and you are within hours of seeing your home for the very first time. Mommy and I are sure going to be glad to get there. We will show you your room. We will show you your toys. We will show you your clothes. We will show you your pantry (you'll LOVE that as much as you enjoy eating!). We will show you your yard. We will show you your pets. And most importantly, we will show you your brother...your complete family...as the three finally become four. Then, you will be home.

Early early in the morning of August 20, 2015, as we packed our bags and loaded the van for the airport, I wrote a note to your brother. A promise if you will. It was a promise that just as I crossed the ocean for you, I would do the same for him. It is time to keep that promise. It is time to cross the ocean. It is time to meet your brother. It is time to see your family. 

Four people. 

One family. 

Together. 

Forever. 

Finally, it is time to go home. 

Love,

Dad