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Saturday, April 28, 2007

My Guy

My Guy....Guys!
It was a long road to become a family of 3 but I won't take up too much of your time relating it all here. Just know that
our son was VERY wanted, very loved and that his Dad and I were so excited we could barely contain ourselves.
The morning Daniel arrived, we left our home in Virginia Beach early and drove to the City of Brotherly Love. We got settled in our hotel room, ate dinner and then decided we just wanted to get to the airport and walk....and walk....and walk. Miles I would guess. Around and around, back and forth. Storms would fire up and ease, blow in again and stop.
Our son arrived at 10:30 pm, on April 26th, 1990. He was escorted from Seoul, Korea to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He landed in a blinding rain storm on one of the hottest April days Philadelphia had ever seen!
But oh that smile...it just radiated. As he reached us, he grinned and bowed. Uh huh. Bowed. We melted and that was that. He was our son and we were his parents. Nothing would ever break that bond.
This picture was taken on the flight line, Naval Air Station Norfolk. Bill had been flying carrier qualifications all day. Danny had been with us just one week. Just 2 weeks after this picture was taken Daddy left for an 8 week carrier training mission. Danny and I went to visit his Grandparents in Tennessee. What fun he had! He and my parents quickly bonded and he loved swimming and playing and learning how to tie his Mommy around his finger really fast! Then things hit the skids....instead of coming home for months, Bill's ship (and the squadrons on board) were quickly deployed to the Persian Gulf in support of first, Desert Shield and then Desert Storm. It would be almost 9 months until we saw him again. As difficult as it was for Danny and for me, it was horrible for Bill. He would miss Daniel's first day of school, first Halloween, first Thanksgiving, first Christmas...you name it. But you know? I have always been sure that it was because of Daniel that I stayed as calm as I did...held things together. I always thought that if Bill had to be away for more than 6 months (and that was always bad enough), especially due to conflict, I would fall apart. Nope, I had a son to care for, help, make things right for. What a delight he was....he fully embraced his new found childhood and new home. He made friends easily, did well in school, adored his family. My brother came to stay with us and oh how they bonded. He and Dan are very different personalities but Dan says that he will always love and adore his Uncle because of what they went through together, and meant to one another, all those years ago. He had to endure many times away from Dad, moving to several different states, changing schools quite often....he always handled each trial with a smile and a joke. Bill's Naval Retirement, 2005. Dan received a special award for his " Service To Country" as the son of a Military Veteran.
We have hundreds of wonderful pictures in albums of Danny but few in my computer. The scanner decided to be belligerent for me today so I have included just a few here. Dan is not fond of having photos taken but he will pose on holidays or for his sister. This was from Christmas 2006, with his gift from Grace. Thanksgiving 2006
at Grandma's....
New Year's Eve 2006/07 at our favorite Asian restaurant.
This young man has been such a joy. Not perfect, sometimes a royal pain as all kids are, but he is, and will always be our joy. He is a fantastic big brother to Grace and she thinks he is top drawer!
He is finishing up college, studying Psychology, and works as a software engineer at a local company. We are so proud of him.

15 comments:

TK Angels said...

Of course I love all the pics of Danny. Heh- were is my pic of the retirement (all family) :)

Danny has grown to be quite a young man and you and Bill (I know) are so proud of him. I see the love he has for you both and for Gracie.

Take care and have fun on vacation.
Love,
Terri

Dawn Bibbs said...

Oh wow, what another wonderful story. Danny is a cutie!

What a blessing you and Bill are for adopting these kids and for providing them with such a special life.

Thanks for sharing.

Cassandra said...

You are truly blessed with wonderful children!

Pamela said...

I'm glad you are writing about this.
A chosen family -- what more could you ask for .

Unknown said...

What a beautiful post! Thank you so much for telling us about Danny meeting you, and about your life together. I love the pictures. Thank you.

allie
www.mycozyhome.typepad.com

Anonymous said...

Very nice.

Dan is a handsome young man!

Andi said...

I love the picture at the airport of your initial meeting...you can see and feel the happiness radiate from within. What a cute little boy...and he bowed..won my heart with that story!!!

You have every right to be very proud of your beautiful/handsome children.

Have fun in NYC...I want to see lots of pictures when you return. We didn't go inside the American Girl store...even thought be passed right by it. Grace is going to love going there!

Sheila said...

Sue, he's a beautiful young man, and a credit to your love and parenting skills. That Grace worships him is evident.
You must be so pround of your beautiful family..
Hugs
xx

PAT said...

Sue, what beautiful children you have!! Danny's story is wonderful! I've enjoyed reading about Gracie and Danny!! I feel blessed to be able to get to know them!

Pat
Back Porch Musings

Valerie said...

you are blessed beyond words - and i know you know it. love you!

Carole Burant said...

I so enjoyed hearing of how Danny came to be with you...he has certainly grown into a very handsome man and making you so proud with all his accomplishments! You are all very blessed to have found each other and he certainly was a Godsend to you when Bill was away for so long!! xox

Gretchen said...

Your whole family is such a testimony to how awesome our God is. Blessings to all--thanks so much for sharing Danny and Grace with us.

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful story!
Love
Robin

Donna, The Decorated House said...

Both of the stories of love about Danny and Grace so touched my heart. I'm sure they know how lucky they are to have so much love. Hope you have a great trip to NY.
Donna

smilnsigh said...

Thank you so much for filling me in on some details. :-)

And you are all so wonderful! It warms my heart, to sort-of know you and your husband, and family.


Mari-Nanci