Sunday, August 24, 2008

Airplane Day

Today....August 24th.....is what we call our Airplane Day (it also happens to be my neice Laci's birthday too). What is an Airplane Day? Well, it's the day that our son, Colt, came home to us on an airplane all the way from South Korea with six other babies (all boys) being escorted to their families anxiously and lovingly awaiting their arrival! How excited we were to become parents!

Jason and I had been married for seven years. It was four days before my 26th birthday. Colt was five and a half months old. The wait seemed like forever to get him here! We thought he was coming home to us at three months, but he got sick and had to stay there until he was well. Then the next time he was scheduled to come home to us, the babies were bumped from their flight, thus delaying it all again! You can just imagine how it felt to have a picture of your baby boy and know he's that far away from you and to yearn to hold him in your arms! It helped some to keep a journal for him during this time.

(His airplane....we were watching through the window knowing he was inside...see the sun rising on a new, very exciting day for us!)


Then finally on this day, August 24th early in the morning, nineteen years ago, his escort, a very nice elderly gentleman, walked off that plane, called out our last name and placed our beautiful little blessing of a baby boy into my arms! I just knew I would cry when they did (NOW I'm all teared up as I write this), but I couldn't cry then. All I could do was smile...and then smile some more (as we all did that day!) Colt leaned back, looked at my face and gave me the biggest smile ever as if to say, "It's you..I know you..I'm here." And that boy has kept us smiling and laughing ever since! (And on our toes, I might add). As a matter of fact, he was nicknamed "Smiley" on the plane by the adults because he could turn the smile and charm on, and then go back to a straight solid face just as quickly as he turned it on!

(They had just placed him in my arms...right after the big smile from him...and notice the gentleman in the lower left corner....that's his escort looking on smiling!)


(Told you I was all smiles....he would smile really big and cut it off, then repeat the whole process all over again!)


Our lives changed that day (obviously) after 7 years of marriage, but I wouldn't trade it for anything or any feeling in the world! I became a mom that day....being a mom is THE best, most rewarding job in the world!

(Jason was beaming all day too!)


And for anyone that thinks even for a second that it feels different to become a family through adoption versus becoming a family by birth......let me tell you first hand (having it both ways)....there is NO difference in the way you feel!

(My mom and dad were there with us, along with a few other family and friends....it was quite an experience for everyone!)


The day they placed Colt in my arms and the day they placed Joy in my arms were the days my world changed. I've been blessed to be a mom to two special kids...both my miracle babies....and I wouldn't trade either experience for anything. I once read a remark that sums it up for me, "One of my kids is adopted they say, but I can't seem to remember which one."

25 comments:

Linda - Behind My Red Door said...

Oh Tammy - what a special special post!! I am crying as I type this. I have a few friends who received their babies the same way and they use that same quote. Airplane day - I will never think of this day again without remembering that!! Thanks for sharing!! HAPPY AIRPLANE DAY to all of you!

Cheryl said...

Tammy, what a beautiful story. I never knew that Colt was adopted. What a blessing you have. Happy Airplane day to you entire family.

Gettysburg Homestead said...

Happy airplane day!!!!

Not only did it change your life forever that day, but for Colt also!!! He became the son of the best Mom who could take him in as his own.

My sister too has an adopted son, but none of her own.

Mary

Jo-Anne said...

This is a beautiful post. Thank you for sharing!!!
I have an adopted sister.
I would like to add my feelings
with yours that there is NO difference in the way you feel about them. She is my sister, just as my other two birth sisters are. Adoption is a wonderful learning opportunity in acceptance and unconditional love. I am grateful for her and all that I learned because of her. I would adopt a child in a heartbeat! :):):)
Happy Airplane Day!!

Yankee Ridge Primitives said...

Happy Airplane Day!

What a special day and a special story. I too, was crying as I was reading but seeing the joy on your faces put a smile on my face!!

Jenn

Anonymous said...

Tammy, I did not realize this was the day you all got Colt. It made me cry reading this. Colt is one very special and blessed young man. You and Jason are wonderful parents. Of course, Joy is special and blessed too.

Betty

Daffodil Hill said...

You've got me bawlin', Tammy! Such a precious story. My best friend also has a Korean son a few years older than your Colt. You are blessed!

Dawn said...

Tammy, what a wonderful story you have. As you know I too know the miracle of adoption. There is nothing like it. For so many yrs. I would wonder what did I ever do to deserve this. And than after adopting our daughter Taylor, I again was asking What did I ever do to deserve this. She is such a miracle, as all children are no matter in which way they come to your family! I love the Airplane Day! Thanks for the good tears! Dawn

Linda ★ Parker's General said...

Oh,Tammy, what a great story! I am so happy to hear these stories as my daughter and her husband are in the process of adopting Mya from China. They have 2 biological sons and were called to adopt several years ago. They have received their referral and are awaiting the call to travel. It is good to hear such positive stories of adoption and I will look forward to more wonderful stories such as this.

Black Sheep Lisa said...

What a great post! Not only did you and Jason get a blessing of a baby boy, but Colt got a mom and dad who love him very much!!
God bless your family!!

carolyn@simple~primitive~devotion said...

What a wonderful story! And even better because it is a true story! What a blessing!

Anonymous said...

Tammy, what a wonderful day to remember, and your last line says it all. You are a special lady and were given a special baby. Jax

Angie said...

Oh Tammy!

Happy Airplane Day! I, too, was crying as I read this..then, I cried harder after seeing the joy on both yours and Jason's faces! What a beautiful baby Colt was! All that matters in the end is that you are a family now...

~Angie

p.s. hubby actually came in to see if I was okay...lol..I always keep tissues on my desk..I have learned my lesson...

Colleen/And Baby Makes Five said...

What a beautiful and heartwarming post, Tammy! You have a wonderful little family and it is so touching to read part of your loving family story. Colt and Joy are blessed with two outstanding parents ... just as you and your husband are both blessed with your miracles.

Happy Airplane Day!

Sue said...

This is a beautiful story...I am the grandmother of six wonderful grandchildren (three of them are adopted). There is absolutely no difference in the love I have for any of them. Both my daughter and son have adopted children and both have biological children...they might have arrived differently, but God knew from the beginning where they would end up! Thank you for sharing your story.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for such a wonderful post!! so nice to hear how you got Colt...I give you so much credit for what you have done...you have raised such a wonderful family!! It was nice of you to share and I love how you titled this special day!! you are creative!!
Jill G.

Anonymous said...

Tammy, this is such a beautiful post! It also brought happy tears for me too! I can see why Airplane Day is such a Special Day for your family! You and Jason received such a precious little baby boy on that very special day! Colt is so blessed to have such wonderful and loving parents as you and Jason! You both have been so blessed by having two beautiful and special children as Colt and Joy! I read and see the pictures on your post and the happiness and love showing through on both yours and Jason's faces on that special day and the love that you now have for your children and each other, just comes straight through on your posts! You are one beautiful lady, and you and Jason have a really beautiful, loving family!

You have touched my family's hearts with your caring love and beautiful heart, and it has made such a huge difference in each one of our lives too. We are so blessed to have been touched by your caring and loving heart and also by your kindness.

Sending you lots of hugs and love to you, Jason, Colt, and Joy! You all are so very precious! Happy Airplane Day to all of you!


Love & Blessings,
Lynn/OKC

Siri said...

Tammy,

That was a beautiful post. You are truly blessed.

Prim Blessings,

Siri

Yankee Ridge Primitives said...

Hi Tammy!!

I just found out you had an etsy store from another blog I was on:)

Thanks for the wonderful comments, Im new to etsy AND "sorta" new to making prims, but Im getting there:)

Im headed over to your store!

Have a good day!
Jenn

Katy said...

That is so so so awesome! And I must say....I am totally honored to share my birthday with such a BEAUTIFUL memory for you and your family! Wow!!! I love the pics! I could cry...I would LOVE to adopt a baby...I think that was so wonderful of you!!!! xoxo

Catty Wampus said...

Tammy; you are a family; no matter how it came about! Happy Airplane Day; How fortunate both your kids are to be in a home that loves and wanted them; I have seen too many that did not have that chance and believe love and being wanted goes a lot further than throwing money at kids! You have such a wonderful life filled with so much love. And also that red door will be so beautiful against that bittersweet!!! I love your house! Merrie

Anonymous said...

Tammy,
Ohhhhh.....That's a wonderful,beautiful story. Thatprecious little Colt made your family smile. You have a wonderful family and glad you and your husband are blessed with two beautiful children. May the Lord continue to bless you and your family. Thank again stopping by..those hummingsbird are fun to watch...they are hard to capture with your camera...they are so fast. I like you and your parents...loves to sit out and watch the birds..when I get a chance to. you have a wonderful day tomorrow. Kathy

Michele said...

Oh Tammy...what a special story. What a blessing both of your children are! Happy Airplane Day!

Hugz,
Michele

Paula said...

Oh this is so sweet and wonderful, Tammy!!!
I love how you tell a story!

Julie said...

Oh, Tammy!

What a beautiful family you have. I'm just crying as I'm trying to write this.
Looking at your airplane picture, I was so excited!!! Then I started to cry (a happy cry) thinking of what a blessed time that was and you caught it in a snapshot. Who knew that a picture of a plane could be so moving?

Our children are the same age!!!!
Our older daughter celebrated her 19th birthday on Aug. 25th!

Oh! I forgot to mention what a beautiful smile that you and your son share! Absolutely beautiful!!!!!!!!!

Blessings,
Julie