We met Mila TWO years ago! So many emotions have been swirling around my head remembering the day we met Mila. Many families in the adoption community choose to celebrate "Gotcha Day," but we've always chosen to celebrate "Metcha Day" instead. The days we met our daughters were the most special days of my life. Just reading my "Metcha Day Post" from Mila's adoption puts me right back in that tiny room laying my eyes on Mila for the first time ever. If you've been reading for a while, you'll know our road to Mila was very broken and didn't seem to make much sense. We had committed to another child and lost her several weeks before we were to travel. We were devastated to say the least. Mila, who had JUST been listed on Reece's Rainbow, was named "Harlene." When we were still committed to the other child, I remember seeing her picture and posting her on my facebook page-something I rarely do. Here is the story of how we were led to Mila. In only a way that God could do, He orchestrated everything perfectly because we needed Mila and she needed us....from the beginning of time-I'm sure of that!
Mila is the only one of our daughter's whose birth name we changed. Her birth name was "Zlata." Already having a child with a "Z" name and knowing how tricky that name was to say, we decided to change it but keep a name from her heritage and thus chose "Mila" meaning "miracle." Indeed she is. I cannot adequately describe that initial connection with Mila other than to say it was an absolutely instant bond and no other soul on this Earth has ever spoken to my heart so loudly with just the look of their eyes. Her gaze bore deep into my soul and an amazing feeling of PEACE drown out all the worries about how sick she appeared. It seemed that every sound and every movement in the tiny room were quieted as I was completely entranced by her beautiful soulful eyes. She stared deep into my soul speaking louder than any words I've ever heard.
It was possibly the most magical, captivating, "close-to-Jesus-this-side-of-heaven" experience I've ever been a part of.
And then.....oh THEN! Seeing Shawn hold her for the first time and watching her melt into his chest as if to say, "I can finally rest...." well THAT was a beautiful sight. She was so tiny and looking at these pictures of Shawn holding her reminds me just how little she was. Her blue complexion was a sign of how sick she was, but WOW this child was and is a fighter. She held on just long enough and the Lord led us right to her not a moment too late.
To celebrate we gave lots of extra hugs and snuggles and shared stories about her adoption journey. I told her her adoption story for the first of many times to come! We celebrated her LIFE and we continue to thank God that He chose us to be her parents!
Happy Metcha Day Mila Bean!
I well remember reading about how you were led to precious Mila and how listless and ill she was! Looking at the photos you posted of that time, it is true, her eyes were just so very focused on her mama and daddy. It is like she KNEW that you guys were hers and her eyes held tight to the lifeline that was mama and daddy and a love she had never known. She has come so far, overcome so much just like her sisters. Congrats sweet Mila!
ReplyDeleteShe sure seemed to know we were hers from day 1! :)
DeleteI remember when you posted these pictures that I was so amazed how hard she was looking into your eyes. It was like she knew instantly that you were hers. I am still amazed by that. I am so happy she is home and healthy and loved.
ReplyDeleteYou've come a long way baby! :) Happy Metcha Day Mila!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness - just look at how much she has grown and how HEALTHY she looks compared to those first days! Such a beautiful little MIRACLE jelly bean!!!! (((BIG HUGS)))!!!
ReplyDeleteWow! I understand why you changed her name - but you do know that Zlata means gold, don't you? She is truly a treasure!
ReplyDeleteYes! Our facilitator said it means "golden" and "golden hair" and then he laughed and said, "Is also name of beer here" LOL. She surely is a treasure, and we loved the meaning, but for a child who we knew would likely have speech delays it was just as important to us that she be able to say her own name, we were really hoping it was a name we'd be able to keep but it's just a little TOO tricky to say! I always wonder if it was their birth parents who named them or the hospital workers....we've asked each time but never found out since they were already named when they came to the orphanage after spending some time in the hospital as newborns. Bummer! I'd love to know how each of their names were chosen and by whom!
DeleteDon't worry, I fully respect and understand your reasons! It makes perfect sense. I just felt like sharing, in case you didn't know, since I found it precious that your beloved girl really was named Golden!
DeleteSuch a pity that you don't know who named your girl. Had it been me, I would have wanted to know who named my children too.
Wow, Mila has grown so much!! She looks wonderful and so happy. What a precious little girl.
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