Our "Best Day"

By Beth G

As deliriously happy a couple we were before we found our daughter, we both feel like our lives truly began when we held our 3 yr. old Kalkidan in our arms. That day will always be our "Best Day".

We were so excited and nervous flying to Addis, the airport there is very modern and sleek, it was dark when we flew in, and the van ride from the airport to the Addis Hilton was crowded and fast, so it really didn't sink in that we were across the world in Ethiopia quite yet. Dr. Tsegaye greeted us warmly at the hotel and told us that he would pick us up in the morning to visit Horizon House, so to get some sleep. We thought of sleep, we wanted sleep, we needed sleep, but it eluded us completely. So with nerves on edge, we drove through Addis to Horizon House with the largest group yet packed tightly into a little van. Everyone felt the same nervous and excited energy so we talked and laughed the whole way, as if we were going to a party and not meeting our children. After driving through the steel gate at Horizon House, the sound of children singing and the sight of them gathered on the lawn waiting for us were almost more than we could bear. I think we all could of sat down and cried right then, but Dr. Tsegaye told us all with a smile to "go find your children" and we walked slowly toward the group sitting on the lawn. I was wondering if we would recognize Kali when Brian grabbed my arm and pointed to a gorgeous little face peeking out from behind the older children. That moment our eyes met and Kali ran to us calling "Mommy! Daddy!". She leaped into Brian's arms and I think the three of us knew we were home. I will never forget the look of peace, contentment and sheer joy on my husband's face as he held his daughter close for the first time. It wasn't ten minutes before Kali ran into one of the rooms and returned with the VERY well worn photo album we had sent her months before. The nurse told us that Kali was so proud of the book that she showed it to anyone that visited Horizon House. So, while we were proudly showing everyone the picture of our darling daughter, she was also showing off her family to anyone that would look. From the moment we all met, it was as if we had always been together.

I must admit that we both were more than nervous about meeting Kali's birth family, and the emotions of the trip threatened to be overwhelming. Upon meeting her grandmothers, uncles, neighbors and friends though, we realized that it was these wonderful people that gave our daughter life, loved her, and made it possible for us to be together. It was obvious that Kali was adored and it seemed to help her Ethiopian family to know that she would continue to be adored. We were able to assure them that we are very proud of Kali's Ethiopian heritage, and will always make that a part of our lives. Meeting Kali's family was a gift to all of us, and we are blessed to be able to keep a family relationship with them. Having that relationship, being able to talk about all of our family on both sides of the ocean, and sharing photos and letters has been invaluable in helping Kali adjust. Actually her adjustment seemed to take only a matter of minutes (on the way home from the airport!) and she has been happy and content since.

Kali just turned 4 yrs. old, is nearly fluent in English now, has a large and varied group of friends, goes to pre-school two days a week, and is beginning to read. She loves to learn, dance, sing, play, and most of all - laugh. We are still amazed at the joy she exudes. Our Kali goes to sleep smiling, wakes up smiling, and draws out smiles on the faces of everyone she meets.

We will always be grateful to Wide Horizons for bringing us together with our daughter. The process was fairly quick (just a few months) looking back, though it seemed like it took centuries at the time.

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