Gotcha X 3

Today we are celebrating 3 years of Rachel!  On September 14, 2009 we first met our Rachel Fu Shen...
That was a hard day for everyone - such grief and fear and pain mixed with joy.  Probably the most emotional day of my life and maybe everyone else's.  But time has dimmed the hardest parts and now we see this day as pure celebration.  This was the day buzz-haired, chubby-legged, funny, determined Fu Shen joined our family and became Rachel.  And she has made us laugh every day since!

After her intense grief that first afternoon, Rachel, in what we would learn would be classic Rachel style, decided to make the best of things.  She looked around, saw that we appeared to be her new reality, and prompty claimed us as hers.  She has loved us fiercely ever since.  Her bravery never ceases to amaze me.  This morning, as we looked at pictures from the original Gotcha Day, Rae pointed at the photos and announced "That was the day you got me.  And then I was yours FOREVER!  You were my FAMILY!" 

Rachel has changed our lives more than we could have ever imagined.  She has made all of us more adventurous, more outgoing, more determined.  And she has made sure that our home is full of laughter and dancing and great enthusiasm.  She can be exasperating, but she always makes us smile.  And we are better people because of her. 

On Gotcha Day at our house, the designated girl receives a gift of something we bought in China.  Rachel's present today was a little silk and bamboo parasol.  I think it was a hit!
Happy Gotcha Day, Rachel!