Happy 19th Adoption Day Lily!

I can’t believe Lily has been a part of our family for 19 years legally as of today. She was so scared and skinny and yet brave as a 20 month old being handed over to an American family in Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, PRC. We looked different, sounded different, and smelled different. Anything she was used to at her foster mom’s house was ripped away from her as she was thrust into a new environment. We were so very happy to adopt her….she was so very scared at all that was happening in her little life. We knew if we could get her through the first few days and weeks, it would work out. It did. Not to say there hasn’t been bumps along the way….but aren’t there with your biological kiddos as well?

Lily has grown into a wonderful young lady and I so enjoy spending time with her. My favorite thing is to go shopping with her….could even be just for groceries. We find something to talk about and I have her undivided attention. I also love being in the kitchen with her. She is a great cook and I always learn something new from her. I genuinely enjoy spending time with her and talking with her. The teen years were rough…because they were teen years and so much upheaval happened in her life. Her mom was diagnosed with stage IV cancer and COVID hit and she lost her oldest brother. That is A LOT to happen in a 3 year time span. Yet, she has come out of that time seasoned and wiser, with a sense of humor that amazes me. To say she completed our family like we didn’t know we needed it 19 years ago is a huge understatement. Love you, Lily! We are so glad you are a Messina!

One last tidbit of information : Lily collects bread clips! It seems like an odd thing to do, but she researches them all and has people who will save them for her. There is evidently an online group of people who do this and although I don’t see the fascination, I am intrigued that she does. She was thrilled when I asked for bread ties at our favorite brunch spot in Hungry Horse before she left. All of these photos are from this summer in Montana.