Happy Metcha' Day!
Four years ago today, we first met Vika and Eamon at their orphanages in Murmansk, Russia. Metcha' Day is a big deal in our home. Every year we hold a Metcha' Day feast, where we share Russian dishes with family and watch the video from our first trip to Russia. And each year I marvel at how much the kids have grown and relive some of the emotions going through me that November 8th in 2005.
For those of you who are not adoptive parents, Metcha' Day is kind of like the day you gave birth to your child. An adoption labor lasts for months - preparing documents, going through background and psychiatric checks, waiting for a referral, and for some, the disappointment of having to decline or losing a referral. Then there is the trip to Russia, which is both exciting and exhausting. Finally, as you sit in a dingy orphanage waiting room, after a year of "paper pregnancy," your child walks in and you see him/her for the first time. You get to see the way they move and hear their voice. You get to hold and interact with them for the first time and learn how they feel and smell. It is an amazing event that will never, ever be forgotten. After months of waiting and planning and wondering, there your child is, in the flesh, and you know your life will never be the same again.
Here is our music montage video from our first trip to Russia. Most of you have seen this before, but it's kind of become a tradition to re-post it every year. Happy Metcha' Day Vika and Eamon!
For those of you who are not adoptive parents, Metcha' Day is kind of like the day you gave birth to your child. An adoption labor lasts for months - preparing documents, going through background and psychiatric checks, waiting for a referral, and for some, the disappointment of having to decline or losing a referral. Then there is the trip to Russia, which is both exciting and exhausting. Finally, as you sit in a dingy orphanage waiting room, after a year of "paper pregnancy," your child walks in and you see him/her for the first time. You get to see the way they move and hear their voice. You get to hold and interact with them for the first time and learn how they feel and smell. It is an amazing event that will never, ever be forgotten. After months of waiting and planning and wondering, there your child is, in the flesh, and you know your life will never be the same again.
Here is our music montage video from our first trip to Russia. Most of you have seen this before, but it's kind of become a tradition to re-post it every year. Happy Metcha' Day Vika and Eamon!
AWESOME!!!!
Happy Metcha Day!!!!!
:)
Very cool. Congrats!
I don't remember seeing this video before but not sure how I would have missed it EVERY YEAR.
Whenever I see pictures of Rita in the orphanage it looks so odd to me. It's like she's always been part of the family ... and I sometimes forget where she came from.
Congratulations! We're coming up on 5 years ourselves (we celebrate Family Day on the anniversary of the day our court decision was finalized). Our Metcha' day was only about 1 year and 1 week earlier than yours - and that was also the first time we saw Vika. I'm so eternally thrilled that she has a wonderful loving family of her own. Congratulations!
It was a special day for all of us back home, too, waiting for photos and your e-mails. I decided not to watch the video again - just put my makeup on and I cry every time I see it!
Happy Metcha' Day! Thanks for sharing again. It is just so sweet!
Congrats - ours is coming up in a few weeks - thanks for reminding me!
It was so touching and happy at the same time. It was so sad to see the other kids there. I am so happy that you found Vika and Eamon. It must have been so hard waiting and so wonderful when you finally got to bring them home. It is just so funny to see you in the video because even though I know we are adults, I still see the girl I met in jr. high. To know that we are both moms is mind boggling and wonderful. Happy Metcha Day!
Riquesha