Together Forever Day 2015

Dear Rex,

Four years ago, with you in our arms, we walked through the blue gates of your orphanage one final time.  From that moment on, everything changed.

The last four years with you as our son have sent us high and low, stretched us further than we ever thought we could endure, and blessed us beyond measure.  You, then a toddler and now a preschooler and soon to be a kindergartener, are the master teacher in our life.  You bring us daily lessons in acceptance, patience, courage, trust, gratitude, surrender, and joy.

The people who truly know you, those who meet you with wide open hearts and minds, quickly come to love you.  Your laughter is infectious, your smile most genuine, your spirit a little mischievous, your feelings straight-forward, your work ethic true.  You have to push yourself more than most kids to learn and grow.  And this past year, you've come so far.  You started using a few words, things that are important to you: pop, bubble, ball, balloon, up, car, cracker and added new signs to your repertoire, too.  You learned how to undress, how to play with some toys, how to give kisses, how to sleep in your own room, how to pet dogs.  You lost four teeth and gained two scars on your head.

You are an expert climber, rough-houser and escape artist with parkour aspirations, a connoisseur of potato chips and sandwiches, an aficionado of music, silly sounds, tickles, water, swings, and thrill rides.  Above all, you are a devoted son whose love for us is pure without an agenda, without judgment.  There's no need to read between the lines when, instead of a left into yours, you make a right into our bedroom at night to request a co-sleep, when you squeal at seeing our faces at the end of your school day, when you cling to us during frightening situations, when you wordlessly lean on our shoulders, and when you just don't care where in the world your head hits the pillow at night so long as Daddy and I are there with you.

Rex, no matter what things might seem to others from the outside looking in, from right here in the thick of life with you, we want you to know that you are a miracle, a blessing and a treasure.  We love you.  Happy Together Forever Day,

Mama & Daddy