The anticipation of waiting for all 200+ people to go through customs (luv bug and his escort among them) was enormous. Every once in a while a baby would come around the corner and my heart leapt out of my chest. Finally over 40 minutes after his plane landed we spotted him. Simply put, it was incredible. I wish I could remember all the emotions, but it is a big blur of relief and happiness and love. Our connection with him was instantaneous because he is an amazing, open, affectionate, and very social boy.

Our first embrace. Magical.

June 4, 2008 we flew into the Rochester Airport. My parents were there, family and friends all waiting to see Luv Bug in the flesh. Everyone who came for the “reveal” had travelled our adoption journey with us; they all loved Luv Bug. This was a big moment for us. For me I was finally able to be a mommy and show off my beautiful son. The four years of waiting to be called Mommy had built up many emotions. I reveled in the instant that we rounded the corner and everyone became visible.
I saw tears streaming down friends faces, cameras going off, balloons, presents. This display of love and affection for AJ and I and Luv Bug was something I will never forget.

A few days ago on June 4 I happened to fly into Rochester around the exact same time of day as a year before. I slowly walked up the terminal waiting to see those glass doors that changed my life forever. Tears welled in my eyes for many reasons- how far we have come as a family, the gratefulness for having found my son, and all the struggles we faced to get to this celebratory point.

Friday night we had a family party for Luv Bug. Nothing big but something to gather together and reminisce about the past year. We all feel the year went by fast, but we also feel that it seems like he has been with us forever. We simply cannot imagine our lives without him.

This is a picture provided by Luv Bug’s foster mother. We are so lucky to have pictures chronicling his life prior to coming home.