Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Two Years Ago, in a City Far Far Away...


As I sit here tonight, it is currently tomorrow, October 20th, in Vladivostok, Russia. October 20th, 2008 is a day I will NEVER forget. It's a day that changed my life - it's the day I met my little girl!
The day started out rough. I was super stressed as I had been told that my original referral, a little boy, "was not good". I knew a little girl existed as a back up referral, but for whatever reason, I thought she was going to be a mess. I was so nervous and upset that while waiting for the MOE (Marilyn Monroe for those of you Vlad graduates - sooo scary!) to finish up, I had to dash across the hall to the bathroom. And I dashed in such a rush that I left my bag in the hall with my driver and translator. The bag that contained the toilet paper. About now those of you who HAVEN'T toured Russia are wondering: "what the heck??? She carries her own TP? How OCD is she?" The answer is no... I don't. Just in Russia. It's a luxury there. So are toilet seats. And in some places - toilets. Seriously. I'll leave the rest to your very vivid imaginations.
Most of you know from this post here how the day turned out. He became she. Was it the way I always imagined? NO! Incredibly hard and stressful - but I will tell you in the end, I would have it no other way. I still peak at the Vladivostok database from time to time to see if my original referral is still there. And he is. It breaks my heart. I will always see him as the little boy who linked me to my daughter. If I wouldn't have traveled to meet him, I would have never met her. Not the way I intended it, but it was the BEST possible ending.
I do feel like even with all that stress up front, I have a fairy tale story of meeting my beautiful T. After declining the little guy, my BFF Rhonda and I were waiting outside to see if we could meet the aforementioned little girl. I didn't know it was her at the time, but the second I spied this little sprite on the playground with big brown curls, it was LOVE at first sight. And while I didn't know she was the one I was waiting for - I wished she was, as I thought she was PERFECT. I think Rhonda cried harder than I did when we found out this perfect little thing was my 2nd referral.
Two years later she's still perfect in my eyes. Don't get me wrong -- she's about to be 4 and certainly has her moments -- but she's perfect for me. That day, two years ago, changed my idea of fate and what is truly meant to be.
Today she's a shadow of her former self. While I thought she was fabulous then, she amazes me everyday now. Everyday it's something new. I think back about that scared, sweet but yet sad girl who barely was even speaking her Russian language. Today she's a funny, loud, talkative, insanely curious, happy girl. I watched yesterday as 4 of her preschool classmates gave her hugs as we left the classroom and it made me wonder if she would have ever felt that back at the baby home. I hope so... but now, we'll never have to wonder.
Happy Metcha Day my beautiful, perfect (for me!) girl!

14 comments:

Yvonne said...

Happy "Metcha" Day Amy and Tati!!!

*Kelly* said...

Love reading your blog. Your baby is beautiful!!!

Tracey and Chuck said...

Happy 2 years!!! That is a wonderful story and T is an absolutely beautiful little girl! We count our blessings every day as you do!!!

Clarese said...

Wow! I can't believe 2 years have passed already! What a wonderful day :)

Anonymous said...

Happy 2 year "metchaversary!"

Shelly and Steve said...

I just never get tired of reading about the first time you saw Miss T....I can just picture it, picture the playground in Artem, and then imagine you finding out she was your referral. Its magical.

Happy Metcha Day! I can't wait to celebrate my 2 yr Metcha Day as I didn't celebrate our 1 yr as Anna wasn't home with us yet.

Troy and Rachel said...

Awww..you gave me goosebumps reading that!! It's funny how things work out sometimes, but they do work out...perfectly!!

Gloria said...

Great post!

Sarah said...

Congratulations Amy! I seriously can't believe these 2 years have flown by already.

Steve and Stella said...

Congratulations!
Us too after 3 refferral that di dnot work for one reason and another.. we find our "little Tsar" Looking back now I know why any of the previous referral worked .. he was waiting for us (or we wer waiting for him). I do beleive our children were just dropped in the wrong front door and we had to seach for them.. (Tha tsilly bird!! He could not find a further door than Vladivostok LOL). Again congratulations!!!!! 2 years already!!! Time fly!!!!

Sara said...

I'm loving the "metchaversary"! Congrats Repp girls!
I'm so glad you've found eachother!

Laura said...

Wow -- two years already. Congrats on the moment that changed your lives forever ~ and definitely for the best!

Blessings,
Laura

Joy said...

Amy I love the way you were so positive that "your" child was out there. Turning down one referral did not cloud your mind or heart to Tati and that is wonderful.
Joy

Corinne said...

What a memory !What a beautiful little girl you have. We are in Vlad now on our court trip.Hopefully there is hope that this adoption stress shall too pass. Now that we are Vlad grads I was laughing to tears about your comment regarding that.