Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Best.Day.Ever.

One year ago today, was one of the best days of my life. Yep, the day we got Gabe's referral. There are many exciting days with adoption, but referral day is the most magical, in my opinion. I wish everyone had the opportunity to experience that 'high.' The excitement of seeing OUR child and learning all that we could about him from the papers we had. All the clouds lifted, and there was our perfect baby looking back at us. Sure, in the next few weeks and months we had anxiety again about him coming home and all that we had to do. But on April 20, 2009...it was all about possibilities, love, joy, and peace.

I look at Gabe's referral picture now and it's funny to compare what I thought he'd be like to what he's actually like. We're far more lucky and blessed than we ever thought was possible.

Let's look back to the one of the best (in my humble opinion) 'throne' pictures:

27 comments:

Christine @ 12,450miles said...

(I've been thinking about you these past few days. While reminiscing about our travel call and all that surrounded it, I clearly remember reading your referral post. I think I'll always remember it as I reminisce about this week leading up to meeting our son.)

Happy referral-versary! I loved this post. Your reference to "magical" is so accurate. There's just something about that day. I hope you have a wonderful anniversary of the date!

Rach@In His Hands said...

Best day ever is SO true! I thought of you guys as I woke up this morning...and reading this now has me all weepy and joyful and thankful.
I can't believe it's been a year since our referral week! I truly couldn't of had a better "Waiting Buddy" than you. And to now have our sons be buddies is "magical", too.
Congrats Mama! Enjoy this day. Love you guys!

Jenny said...

it truly is one of the best throne pictures! that hair does it :-) can you believe it's been a YEAR?! WOW. happy referralversary :-)

everythingismeowsome said...

Gabe rocked the throne--that is for sure!!!

Anonymous said...

I remember that day! Gabe on the red throne definitely made one awesome referral photo!

"Magical" is a perfect description of referral day. Enjoy your day!! :)

IP Journey said...

Happy Referral Day! I still remember our referral day so crystal clear ! I love Gabe's throne picture! =)

Elizabeth Frick said...

He looks so awesome in his throne pic! Isn't it cuh-razy how quickly a year flies by???
And I like what you said about comparing what you thought he'd be like to what he is. We APs dissect those pictures so fully, don't we? ;)
Guess I'm doing that now w/#2...
Happy referral anniversary!!!!! Gotta go read that post from last year.

sue said...

i remember this day!!! and that picture!!!!! so cute!!!!

Kris said...

You summed up referral day perfectly! The excitement and emotions and the clouds lifting - I will never forget it.

So much has changed in a year! Happy referral day to you all!!! This is an exciting day :)

Birdie said...

This post gave me goosebumps. That feeling of looking at your child's photo for the first time is so indescribable (sp?) and I am not sure what to compare it with. You're right, it is a high. I remember looking at this photo of Gabe last summer and being in awe of his hair.

I think Christine just coined a great new phrase - "referral-versary" - enjoy your special day!

Bekah said...

Happy Referral Day! Oh how I remember this picture! Such a happy day!!!

HJ said...

I can't believe it's been 1 year since Gabe's referral!! I LOVE that photo... esp. his hair :)

Kara said...

Referral day is absolutely amazing. For us it was a day when all of the anxiety and impatience disappeared and only joy and love were left. I'm so glad you posted Gabe's referral picture. I remember it so clearly with his "spike-y" hair!

Christine said...

What a special anniversary for your family! Gabe is such a blessing. I remember seeing your referral post at work and showing everyone Gabe's picture because I couldn't get over how cute he was! It's so amazing that I now know you all in person, too. Enjoy this special day!

Anonymous said...

I think his throne pic is pretty awesome! :) happy remembering referral day!
~elizabeth
waiting for referral

Summer and Stuart said...

Best picture EVER!!!!!!! :)

Mi Yeon said...

I thought of the day that i bought this yellow t-shirts with my mom for his one hundredth day.

Janet said...

Gabe DEFINITELY rocked the throne, indeed! I agree...referral day is so special and I like the word you used: MAGICAL. So true. Our referral day anniversary is coming soon. Congratulations. Happy Referral Day! So happy for you.

Tracy said...

I remember that picture! He has always been a cutie pie! So hard to believe all these babies have been loved so long. (Even before we knew the faces)

Happy referral day

Colleen said...

What a special, special anniversary! I too remember this day and how excited I was for you! Wow! Magical indeed! :)

Kristen said...

I can't believe its been a year already! Gabe's hair in the throne pic is just awesome.

BrandiB said...

I'm sure you can hardly believe it and time has been flying by so fast! Thanks so much for sharing your journey...it's a real comfort to those of us still in waiting mode

CatherineD said...

Happy referral day! This is definitely one of the best "throne" pics. I remember the first time I saw it... I had to call Brian in to take a look at all that crazy hair!

kelly said...

Happy Referral-versary! Love what you said, Joanna, and it was fun to go back and read your referral post from one year ago. I didn't start following your blog until May last year so I missed your referral by a few weeks. I agree with you and everyone else that Gabe ROCKED that Eastern throne big time! He was and is so damn cute.

Krista said...

What a special special anniversary!

Kimberly and Ed said...

Happy Referral Day!

Christy said...

Congrats! So exciting to look back and compare to now. What a cutie then and now! :) We can't wait for that magical day.