Three years ago today, Kevin and I sat in a room with a desk and a table in Ochakiv, Ukraine. We sat on one side of the table, the Director sat at her desk and our much loved facilitator sat across from us.
We waited. We listened for the sound of footsteps.
We heard a small voice. Then saw the smiling face of a little boy whom we had only seen in pictures.
It was love at first sight.
He sat across from us, fidgeting with his hands and had the biggest smile on his face.
This little boy was wanted, and he finally knew it.
The boy that was told by another child at the orphanage,
"No one will ever want you."
A boy that had no concept of what it was like to be loved without the fear of death, being abandoned or transferred.
But today, he was wanted.
and he secretly hoped it would be forever.
It took a while after that day 3 years ago to convince Danil that this was forever.
And I'm happy to say that today, I can honestly say he knows.
But I want you to know that we are the lucky ones. Because not only did we gain a son but we gained so much more.
He brings a since of randomness into our lives and causes us to take ourselves less seriously. He is a true friend, an encourager and peacemaker. He wants the people around him to know that they are important and loved. He can light up a stage and has perfected prancer-dancing. He makes us laugh and makes our hearts swell.
He is a gift to those who know him, he is a gift from God.
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