happy gotcha day Annabelle!

2 years ago your mother and I met you for the first time.  On the bus ride over to the Adoption Registry Center, our guide (Amy) told us to expect the worst.  You were an older child, probably afraid of Americans, not wanting to leave China.  She said you’d cry, maybe even throw a fit, and that you definitely wouldn’t want to come with us.  Instead, you walked out with a smile, said, “Hello Mommy, hello Daddy” and kissed our cheeks!

I loved you before I even met you.

We spent the next few days getting to know you, laughing and playing together, hanging out with the Roux family (another adoptive family who brought their kids to China).  You didn’t speak much English, but we were able to communicate.  Even then we could sense that you were meant for us.

Over the past 2 years we’ve had the pleasure of watching you grow into a beautiful, smart, and sensitive young lady.  You have been part of Team Sublett from your first day, and we’ve enjoyed every minute of the journey.

There have been bumps in the road as we’ve learned to communicate.  You’ve come a long way, overcome innumerable obstacles, and have been a blessing to our family.  Because of the grace and poise you showed through your transition into Team Sublett, we had the confidence to try adoption now 3 more times.  You are a great daughter, a tremendous sister, and a constant bright spot in my life.  It honestly feels like you’ve been part of our family forever.

Thank you for loving us, for opening your heart to us, for trusting us, for being willing to let down your guard and show your emotions.  You still cry at the slightest sense of letting us down.  But you also giggle like a silly school girl when you get rolling.  You are an incredible young lady, and I am a dad most-blessed.  God has shaped our heart through you!

If you want to read the blog posts from the actual day we got you (gotcha day) and see some pictures, click here and here and here.

Here are the pictures that got things started for us, followed by a recent one.

We love you, Annabelle, and can’t imagine what life would be like without you!