16 Months Later....

16 months ago we landed in Tokyo, Japan, hurried through security (who harassed me about my individually packaged peanut butter of all things!) and boarded our last flight into Beijing, China. It was on that flight that we first met a family that will forever be bonded to ours. Though we had talked several times over the phone and exchanged emails, we had never met in person. We said our hellos and from that point on we were now a group of 7 on a journey to meet our daughters/sisters who awaited us in Chongqing, China. We were, literally, the blind leading the blind. Our Gotcha Day was on March 17, 2008. The 7 of us, Ryan and our boys plus Mr. and Mrs. M and their son, Little M, were the group - two families. It was an intimate little affair, two baby girls being welcomed by their two families at the same time. There wasn't the "name being called out" or the "waiting our turn" - we walked in and there they were, both eating a snack pack of crackers, both bright eyed, both unsure of what was happening and then here we were, two families depending on one another for support. As anxious as we were to get home to the USA, we were sad to say our goodbyes to the M family. Fast forward 16 months....last Monday the M family arrived for a week long reunion at Seabrook. Though they were not so impressed by the southern delicacies of okra and tomatoes, they did take a liking to Moose Tracks ice cream - a must in my life :) We relaxed on the beach, the boys played more Star Wars than I knew could be played, we toured Charleston, tried to go crabbing, taught Little M how to ride a bike.....and the girls, well, the girls were typical 2 year old girls. MK is sassy, or as my friend from Boston would say, she is "fresh", meaning she makes it known what she likes and dislikes - very strong personality. Little Miss M handled MK well and didn't seem so intimidated by her squeals :) A good time was had by all!