every day we were in korea, i made it a point to write about our experiences of the day. i know at times damon thought i was nuts…staying up late (really late), missing play time at the pool or in the table tennis room. but, i would tell him that i had to do it…i wanted to do it...because, i was too afraid i would forget some detail if i didn’t. looking back, if there’s one thing i’ve done right in the last year, it was thoroughly documenting our experiences and emotions while we were in korea. i am so glad i took the time because over the past few days i have really loved re-reading the story of when we met leo for the first time and how we spent the last days preparing to officially welcome leo into our family and bring him home. it’s a wonderful story and i cannot wait to share this story with leo as he grows up!
of course i wasn’t able to capture everything. there will forever be more thoughts and feelings tucked inside our minds about the trip. thoughts and feelings that will be stirred by a smell, a sound, a taste, a vision. but, for the most part, i honestly believe the posts from our time in korea capture the best of our experiences there. i will forever treasure the trip and the opportunity to explore leo’s birth country. and, the gift korea gave us.
september 2nd has come and gone in seoul.
it’s time to start our trip down memory lane.
thanks for coming on this journey with us again.
enjoy.
Korea: Day One - the day we met Leo (part 1)
Chapter One - Typhoon Kompasu
Our first day in Korea started off early and like nothing I could ever have imagined. Drew was still up at 2 or 3 or something like that. We laid together in his bed talking, snuggling and just trying to get him to fall asleep. Before he did fall asleep, he kept asking "what's that noise?" It was just the wind I told him. Drew finally fell asleep and I was able to post the last blog entry. The lights flickered twice as I finished up on the computer - strange. And then I heard on the radio something about strong winds, 3 to 6 inches of rain, and stay home unless absolutely necessary. I thought "what!?!? where?!?!" and quickly looked outside. Oh yeah, it was windy and rainy and not looking good. My next thought was obviously about Leo and whether or not today was really going to be the day that we'd finally meet.
The power in the hotel did go out. We had one light on near the entry. I showered in the dark and didn't have to worry about blow-drying my hair. The room was hot (no AC) and the last thing I wanted to do was put on any make-up. But I managed and we headed downstairs to the lobby to request a cab and head to breakfast. When we asked for the cab, the answer put me in total panic - she said that she will try but they had not been able to get any cabs because they were all too busy since a subway line was out and everyone was using taxis and buses. Oh, no. How the heck were we going to get to Leo?! She kept trying while we had breakfast.
We are staying at a wonderful extended stay hotel...so there are many families here with kids that are attending school in Seoul. I knew we were really in trouble when we overheard a mom tell her son that just walked into the breakfast area that school had been canceled. That statement and the view out the second floor window of the trees being blown completely horizontal had me completely panicked. Power was out, trees were down, Stadium roofs were blown off...I was nervous enough about meeting Leo and his Foster Mom...I did not need all this added anxiety of not knowing if or how we were going to see them that day. I ate a piece of bread with jelly, three bites of eggs, and some OJ. Damon and Drew had no issues eating.
We also did not know if our plans for Busan where going to work out - and left us wondering what the heck to take with us to the agency. We planned like we were still going and shoved all our raincoats and umbrella in the backpack. Grabbed the gifts for the agency staff, case worker, and Foster Family and headed back to the lobby to see if they were able to get us a taxi.
Still no luck arranging for a taxi to get us. Our options were not looking good and we had 40 minutes to get there. We decided to head outside and just try to hail a cab - all dressed up with gifts in hand - in the crazy wind and rain. Hotel staff stopped us, grabbed an umbrella and went out for us (thank you!) and sure enough, as soon as he got out there an available taxi pulled up. It was honestly surreal and obviously meant to be the day we met Leo - that is, of course, assuming that Leo and his Foster Mom can make it to the agency.
As we know know...this was "Seoul's worst seasonal storm in 15 years". Maybe Leo should have a new nickname - Kompasu?!?
Chapter Two - Leo
We made it into the taxi and counted our blessings. The ride to the agency went quickly - I wasn't so nervous thanks to the distraction of viewing all the destruction. Many businesses did not have power, but we knew the agency did since our taxi driver called there for directions.
We made it there at 8:40 - we were supposed to arrive at 8:50 for paperwork before meeting Leo. Leo's case worker was an hour away from the agency so another staff member helped us. After waiting until 9:10, she took us to the playroom where we'd meet Leo so Drew could be more entertained. Waiting in there...just the three of us...was hard. I just hoped Leo would be able to make it.
There was finally a knock on the door and in walked Leo's Foster Mom and Leo. There was not any staff present to translate - I wanted to make sure they had a safe trip to the agency...I wanted to say hello and it was a pleasure to finally meet them...but since I couldn't say anything, I just hugged...and I cried.
Leo's Foster Mom put Leo down and called for some staff. Our meeting lasted about an hour and we had three different agency workers translate for us at different times. It was a great meeting. Leo LOVED watching Drew. And, Drew LOVED being watched. After giving Leo two balls, Leo came right to me and gave me the most amazing...most wonderful hug. Words simply cannot describe how that felt. It was a wonderful visit. And, drew keeps asking, "Was that my real brother? Or was I just dreaming?" It's really him Drew-man. He's real.
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| in the taxi on the way to the agency |
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| hugs speak louder than words |
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| the hug i've been waiting for |
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| checking out daddy |
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| our handsome son!!!!! |
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| we were given a photo book with 160 pictures...going through them with leo's foster mom |
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| my absolute favorite picture |
We see Leo again on Monday and he will be placed in our arms forever on our way to the airport on Tuesday. How awesome will that be!!
Until next time...when the journey continues to Busan!
