Monday, August 24, 2009

Airplane Day & A Birthday Too

It's hard to believe that it is already August 24th again! I realize that I probably have some new readers since last year at this time, so I wanted to share it again as this is an important day for us to remember. Twenty years ago today, Jason and I became parents for the first time......a day that changed our lives forever.

I wrote a special post last year about our Airplane Day. It pretty much sums up how I feel about this day and being a mom. I am going to copy and paste that post below. I hope you enjoy it! (Happy Airplane Day, Colt)!

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."



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In addition to today being our Airplane Day, it is also the birthday of my niece, Laci. She turns 6 today. This hardly seems possible! Since she is at my house today for a brief visit, she posed for her picture to share on here today!



And of course, she and Joy had to pose together too!



Happy Birthday, Laci!

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Coming up on my next post, I will share my parents' special 50th Anniversary celebration that took place this past Saturday! Everything went really well and they really had a good time! So stay tuned...

Have a great Monday!
~ Tammy ~

28 comments:

Anonymous said...

Tammy, this blog made me cry. I have been kind of weepy for several days now, but this kind of happiness would make anyone cry. I remember this day and it was a blessed day for everyone. Love you, Betty.

Wendi said...

Thanks for sharing your special day. I was tearing up as I read this.

Mandy said...

Happy "Airplane Day" to you all! I love the pictures of that special day!

arkie said...

Happy Airplane Day to you all! Congratulations to your parents having made it to 50 Years!

Such a wonderful story! Thanks for sharing it!

Parsley said...

What a wonderful story. Thanks for sharing.

Cat Nap Inn Primitives said...

Hey there Tammy, My sister Peggy celebrates airplane day with her 3 as well...My husband Mike and I got to see number 2 come off the plane here in Seattle with her older sister who was 2 at the time and wanted to be the only one..but the minute she was her little sister she was thrilled..it was a neat experience...now they are 24, 21,and 17...thanks for sharing..:)

Denise said...

Aww, Tammy! Thanks for a much needed smile! Hugs to you and Colt!

XXDenise

Carmen S. said...

Tammy, I'm all teared up here, thanks for sharing your beautiful story with those of us who are newer here. Colt was and still is such a cutie-pie, lol!!!!

Karen said...

Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful story! Happy Airplane Day!

Birgit said...

Happy Airplane Day and happy birthday to your niece. What a special celebration for all of you.
Hugs~ Birgit

Colleen/And Baby Makes Five said...

Your Airplane Day post is just as sweet the second time around, Tammy. I'm so glad you and your family have so much to celebrate these days. Enjoy those memorable moments, my friend.

Never So Simple said...

I remember this post from last year. You know Colt still looks the same in the face. Your neice is too cute!

Looking forward to pictures from the big party!

Donna

Julie said...

What a tender, wonderful story. I'm sure Colt has been so very blessed for being in your family. Have a super day. Julie

Linda - Behind My Red Door said...

Tammy I cried last year and I cried again this year. HAPPY AIRPLANE DAY to you all!!

Cottage Rose said...

Oh Tammy;; What a beautiful and touching story of the day you became a Mom... I really enjoyed reading it, my heart just melted by the loving story,,, I can relate to your story in away, my daughter Heather an Son In Law, adopted a boy from Russia about four yrs ago,, and the night they all stepped of the Plane, I was filled with the same joy as you,,only I was grandma..lol
And a very Happy Birthday to you sweet niece and Airplane Day to you all!!

Hugs;
Alaura

The Farmers Oldest Daughter said...

Happy Airplane Day - Wonderful and very touching story.

Maxine

Elle Bee said...

Oh Tammy, your writing, the photos of your beautiful boy and the music just made me cry. This is such a wonderful story and an amazing testament to the beauty of parenthood. I love love love this post. Ah. The joy on your face as you held him..I just loved it. I'm going back to read it again.
Elle

Paula said...

Tammy - I sat looking at the picture of the plane and felt my heart quicken, like I was waiting too! What an incredible blessing from God to have two beautiful children, both miracles! Thank you for sharing your airplane day.

Blessings~
P.

Anonymous said...

Tammy I can only imagine the excitement both you and Jason must have been having minutes before they put Colt in your arms! Your smile & Jason's smile tells the whole story Tammy! I am so tickled for you and Jason, and Colt is so very lucky to have such special, loving and caring parents! You all have been so blessed!!

"Happy Birthday" goes out to Laci too on her special 6th birthday!! Love both hers and Joy's beautiful smiles in the shared photo's too!!

Thank you, once again, for sharing this wonderful moment in all your lives with us, that is known as Airplane Day!!

Have a very wonderful day Tammy!!

Love & Blessings,
~Lynn/OKC

horse loving lineman's wife said...

What an awesome story! Thank you for sharing that there is no difference (feelings) in birthing a child and adopting. My husband and I adopted two awesome children from the state of Oklahoma...and we never looked back. It was the most wonderful (ever!) thing that happened to us. Our kids are now 16 and 14 (they were 2 and 6 months when they came). Adoptive parents are truley blessed! Have a great day!

Lewaina@cliffsideranch said...

AH, Tammy, this is indeed a post that brought tears to my eye! We also have an adopted son. We had an "Idaho Day"! I shall never forget it. Beautiful post. Thanks for sharing it with us today! ♥

terrypi said...

What a great story about your son. Thank you so much for sharing that story with us.

Nancy M. said...

Such a wonderful story! Happy Airplane Day!!! Happy Birthday Laci! The 24th was my birthday too and I was adopted also!

A Bit of Colour said...

What a special blog this was; thanks for sharing that part of your life with me. How precious!

My Colonial Home said...

Tammy what a touching post! And I felt every word you wrote.
Our cousin in PA adopted their daughter (born in Korea) 17 years ago and picked her up at the Philly airport and I can still hear and feel their excitement so I know how you felt.
Thanks for sharing this beautiful story.

Karen
http://mycolonialhome.blogspot.com/
kmprimitives@yahoo.com

Julie said...

Hi, Miss Tammy!
Happy Airplane Day! I loved reading this story today, as much as I did the first time! What a beautiful, blessed day!!!

Happy Birthday to Miss Laci, too!

Many Blessings,
Julie

P.S. Loved your post on Obama and I completely agree with it! We ALL have to start standing up for our America -- and more importantly Our Savior!!!

Sharon said...

Such a great Airplane story.
I love the saying also.

Thanks for sharing such a beautiful family moment.

God Bless

Anonymous said...

Mom, I am sorry for putting such a shade of grey on your pre-birthday with my news of being broke...I really am. I just want you to know that I love you and what you do for me.
Sometimes, in times like these, I wonder if it would have been better for you if you had left me on the plane. You and Dad have done so much more than I can or ever will do for somebody who doesn't deserve this unmerited grace.
Happy almost Birthday.