The first time!

So the day finally arrived - the day we got to meet our daughter for the first time. A precious moment. And what a beautiful little girl she is!

The start of the 1500+ mile week or so of visits has begun. After dropping the boys off to see Grandma, we began the journey from Merthyr to some place I can't pronounce near Neath. A journey that was fairly quiet, just anticipating what that moment would be like. And then the door opened...

Was it her? After re-calling that moment on the way home, we both, for a split second were thinking is this really her? Once we had snapped out of the day dream we felt we were in, we went downstairs into the basement for our "get to know you playtime".

She is absolutely adorable, the most wonderful smile. For the 2 hours (that felt like 2 minutes) she did not stop smiling (apparently that's what she is like all the time). She is just so happy and her smile is infectious!

It was a surreal time - nothing quite prepares you for meeting your child for the first time! Whilst it was a lovely time, the reality is at this time, we were just strangers to her and therefore whilst we wanted the 'instant bond', we had to just remember that it will take time. However we can trust that God will/has been preparing her and our hearts and that all things will happen in His time.

As it was with our boys, leaving our little girl behind was not easy (especially as there is no visit until Monday now) however we have experienced much grace. We are thankful to God that this precious gift has been so well cared for and loved by her foster family. We leave her knowing she is happy and safe and that God is holding her in his hands.

Thank you for praying for us, it is so good to know we are not on this journey on our own.

These are exciting times for us and cannot wait for the visits to start properly on Monday!