03/07/2025
The day we met.
July 3 will always hold a special place in our hearts - the day our family finally became complete.
I still remember standing in the Illoilo City airport in 2016, holding my breath as we walked towards the caretakers who were holding our girl. I had rehearsed that first embrace a thousand times, but nothing prepared me for the reality.
Her tiny little chest was shaking against mine. And I knew I was pulling her away from all she had ever known.
What she felt that day was pure uncertainty.
What I felt was the collision of fierce, unconditional love and sobering responsibility.
Nine years later, I look at this first photo and barely recognize the scared little girl or the mom holding her. God has rewritten both of our stories in ways only He can.
The timid little girl who once clung to me in fear is now a fountain of joy:
She fills our home with off-key karaoke sessions and living room dance parties.
She negotiates bedtime like a licensed attorney - then ends every debate with a hug and an "I love you".
She reminds me daily that bravery doesn't always look like charging forward. Sometimes it looks like learning to receive love.
I've learned just as much:
Patience isn't passive - it's choosing to love in the pauses when progress feels slow.
Security doesn't come from perfect plans - it's woven through everyday faithfulness.
Family is less about shared DNA and more about shared devotion, shared prayers and shared ice cream on a Friday night.
Today we celebrate our sweet Nella's Gotcha Day - the anniversary of the moment God connected 2 trembling hearts and called it family. We celebrate the victories that we will never forget: the first time she called me "mama", the way she smiled at her brothers when they first met, the way she united us as a family at a time when we were hurting and the way God always keeps His promises - even if it means waiting 5 years.
Most of all, we celebrate the Author of this story. Only God could turn airport anxiety into unshakeable security, fear into freedom, strangers into soulmates and a paperwork trail into a legacy of love.
Sweet girl, you will always be a walking reminder of God's goodness. Thank you for trusting us, teaching us and transforming us. Your courage rewrites our definition of family every single day.
Happy Gotcha Day! Nine years down, a lifetime of love to go. ❤️
