Five Beautiful Years

Dear Annika,

Five years ago today we met you for the first time.  We were nervous and excited.  We hoped that we would know when we met our child, that the difficulty of choosing would be made easy by the certainty of knowing.  It is very hard to describe what it is like to meet precious children with the question in your mind, "Is this one ours?"  Each child we met was precious, beautiful, and adorable.  Then your nanny brought you into the room. 

You were so tiny.  And so beautiful.  You had huge brown eyes and wispy blond hair. I picked you up and you immediately turned your little head and buried it in my shoulder.  And we knew.  The choosing was suddenly easy.

And now here we are, wondering where the time has gone.  You are getting so big! Sweet girl, I know we have not always done everything right.  But I want you to know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that we love you, and that we are honored and humbled to be your parents. You have brought us untold joy, little girl! You have added giggles, drama, dancing, and love of pink that we merely dreamed of with only boys in the house!

I pray that as the years continue to flow by you do not lose your confidence, your ability to make friends, your adorable laugh, and your love of twirling.  I pray that Jesus reveals Himself to you more and more and that you do not lose your excitement about and expectation of His return.

Sweetheart, I do not know, and probably never will know, all of the reasons that you needed parents at the exact time that we needed a daughter, but this I know with certainty: God orchestrated the timing of our trip to Kazakhstan.  God whispered to our hearts "She is yours!"  God brought our mutual needs together and is making something beautiful with you as a perfect part of our family! 

After five beautiful years we still love you more every day!

All our love,
Daddy & Mommy