Three years ago this week, Rob and I walked into the Pechory Orphan House in Russia and met our son Igor for the very first time. Igor was just shy of his third birthday. During our visits we played with Igor. He whispered one word to me- pazhalusta (you're welcome) during our visit and said- dosveedanyados (goodbye) as we left. Our son was cute with strawberry blond hair and eyes the color of Rob's. It was hard to leave Russia without Igor. It was a joy to return 6 months later for our court hearing and bring him home.
Some adoptive moms/dads fall instantly in love with their child when they see his/her picture. It wasn't like that for us. We thought Igor was adorable and cute.... we knew he was our son but did we really love him the instant we saw him?? Honestly, no. (no judgments, please) We chose to love Igor. Once he was home we did everything we could to get him healthy, catch him up physically, emotionally, etc. But as much as Igor needed to attach to us, we needed to attach to him. Over time we attached to one another and began to love Igor in a way I never thought I could love someone.
Tonight at dinner, Igor got up from his chair and whispered, "I love you dad" in Rob's ear and then whispered, "I love you mom" in my ear. What sweet, sweet words. We love you Igor! More than you can imagine.
7 comments:
Love your honesty.
You make a beautiful family!
Candy, that's a beautiful story of love. :)
Tisha
Candy, such a wonderful choice!! It is so good to know we make choices sometimes that we know rather than what we "feel". I believe this is a very real story! Thank you for sharing.
Blessings, Jori
Candy,
what a nice story of LOVE. We are all so blessed by adoption not only by our children but by our God who choosed to Love us as well.
love, LEnka
What a special anniversary to celebrate! Igor is such a sweetheart. It's such a beautiful thing that God brought him into your family.
With Love,
Penelope
Candy, your post made me weepy...must be the new Mom emotions. :) What a blessing to love and be loved...and what an opportunity to choose to love..adoption.
We're going to be neighbors soon!!!
Thank you, Candy. I really did want to cry today. :)
But, truly, thank you so much for sharing this touching post. I agree with you - love is a choice. I don't believe we can really love someone we don't even know. That's more of a case of loving the idea of someone. However, we can choose to love and real love will grow from living that choice out each day.
Igor is such a precious, cute, little boy. I love being on the receiving end of my children's love. Big, happy sigh!
Erica
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