Monday, June 29, 2009

A Surprise Adoption-The girl in the yellow dress

So I told you there was a story behind the picture of the girl in the yellow dress. I hope I can tell it just right.

For awhile now we have been praying about a second adoption. We had planned on adding a boy to our family this time, you know because it makes sense to even things out a bit. :)We were looking to adopt from China or possibly domestically. A few weeks ago an orphan-advocate friend emailed me a picture of a little African orphan-girl wearing a yellow dress. She half-joked (maybe not) that the girl "had my name written all over her" and that she would be the perfect addition to our family. It was quite honestly love at first sight as far as I was concerned. I showed the photo to John and confessed to him that more than anything in the world I wished I could be her mother!

I could think of nothing else for an entire week.

The email/photo didn't seem to have the same effect on John. In fact, every time I brought it up I felt that it must not be the right time, he must be busy, he must not be interested. But OH, how I loved her!!

So a week or so passed, and FINALLY he said, "Charissa, show me the picture of the little girl you told me about last week." I couldn't believe my ears!! He was actually interested in looking at her picture! He was actually interested in hearing more about her!

I wasted no time running over to the computer to show him the private RR link with her photo on it. I was SO excited.

One little problem. When I brought up the page, her picture was gone, and in its place it said in big letters: MY FOREVER FAMILY FOUND ME! All week I had been looking at her and just that fast she was gone.

A wave of disappointment came over me. I tried to be happy, really I did. She wasn't going to be an orphan anymore! I should be thrilled for her, right? How could I feel disappointed when this precious little girl would not be an orphan anymore. How selfish I was to feel sad that it was someone else and not me that would get to be the mother of the little girl in the yellow dress.

Then in my peripheral vision stood John Urban with a HUGE grin on his face, holding up a little gift bag, and he said, "Happy Birthday!" Inside the bag was the picture of the little girl in the yellow dress. :) And she was going to be mine after all.

HA! Can you believe that? He had been faking aloofness, acting uninterested, and all the while he was scheming, of all things.....an adoption! And I never had a clue!! I just want to say I sure do love that guy!!! How blessed I am to be married to a man who knows just how to make this woman's birthday dreams come true!

(Disclaimer: Do not try this at home. A surprise adoption may not make every spouse's dreams come true!)

34 comments:

Tracie said...

Oh, my goodness. I can't believe you didn't die on the spot!

What a great story. Can't wait to see it all unfold.

Tilly Cat & Pip-Squeak said...

Oh that is the BEST present ever... What a great guy you have!

Anonymous said...

Wow. That makes me cry happy tears. What a man!

Jan

Beth said...

Oh wow! What a gift! John is amazing! If I have this much adrenaline in my system just reading about it, you must be up to the moon!!

Jester 6 said...

darn that disclaimer at the end. . .just when I was getting excited about my husband's birthday next month, I had to go and read the fine print. . .maybe someday. . .

Julie said...

What an amazing story!!! Congratulations! I'm so happy for you and for the "girl in the yellow dress". Your kids must be so excited! Your husband sounds like quite a man.

Mama of 4 Blessings said...

The gift of Love is the best there is:) Clever hubby to pull that one off too:) Congrats and Happy Birthday!

Jill Rude said...

Congratulations!!! You guys are so amazing...another orphan is going to have a home! I am so excited for you!! Can't wait to hear all of the details :)

Marlita said...

Leave it to John to give you an orphan for your birthday! Most women want jewelry, but he knew exactly what to get you! Your own little Pearl!

markay714 said...

He brought you a puppy 14 years ago on your birthday, a little girl in a pretty yellow dress this birthday, wonder what he'll do to top that in antoher 14 years?!?! Great story!

Cammie Heflin said...

Your husband is the most romantic man I have ever heard of! What a wonderful present!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations!! Cherish that wonderful relationship you have! Lots of us never get the chance.

Mandy said...

John cannot possibly be a real male! LOL Gosh you hit the jackpot with him :)
CONGRATS and love the story!!!

Mary said...

What a lovely story - and what an amazing husband!

Amy said...

What an amazing gift!
I am so excited for you and your family!!

Can you tell me how to view your wordpress blog??

Sean and Lisa said...

Oh my! What an amazing man!! And what a great picture of love. Love between a man and a woman, love between a man and his future daughter, and ultimately, love between a father God and us his children. THanks for sharing!

Molly said...

Seriously, that just made me bawl! I cannot believe what a sweetie you have on your hands. YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME! This has got to be the most incredible birthday gift that I have ever heard of!

CONGRATS and happy birthday (belated obviously!)

Dolores said...

LOL! Loved your disclaimer at the end. MARVELOUS story!! I hope your dreams come true!

thedickinsonfamily said...

Happy birthday to you! What a wonderful gift. Definately a birthday to remember. This will be a hard one to beat next year or maybe not.
CONGARATULATIONS again!
Blessings,
Meghan

Pan Cratius said...

ugh,.,..can we talk about making a movie, this would go over better than Sleepless in Seattle.,

kirsten said...

Oh...happy, happy tears:)

kirsten said...

Lucy informed me after reading your blog, that when she grows up, she wants to adopt kids too.

The Hapa Girl said...

What a great husband! I just cried the happiest cry...I love good stories!

Deb D. said...

Tears in my eyes. . . . Gasp in my throat . . . awestruck at the man you love. What a beautiful soul . The joy he receives by giving the gift of love and life to others is deeply moving. How God must smile on him!

June Berger said...

Oh my gosh, I don't know if I would have cried, kissed him, fainted or punched him in the arm, LOL! Totally awesome! What a wonderful thing to do. I imagine Andrea had to be in on it? ;o)

Charissa said...

Yes June, Andrea is a good secret-keeper!

Adeye said...

Oh my goodness--that is totally and absolutely amazing!!! What a thoughtful hubby you have. I can hardly wait to see how this journey is going to unfold.

Rejoicing with you!

Chad and Dana said...

Yeah!! Shouts of joy going up for the girl in the yellow dress!!! Wish I could reach through the computer and give you both a big hug...so happy for you!!!

Jennifer said...

That's AWESOME! I told my husband about it, and he told me not to get any ideas.... LOL!

jennifer... said...

I love this story. You tell it so well - you are such a good writer! And thanks for the disclaimer as it would be a very interesting surprise to pull around here.

Ssejors said...

WOW! That made me cry Charissa! You have the best hubby ever! God bless him! You two! Just amazing! WoW! KEEP INSPIRING THE WORLD AROUND YOU URBAN's! WE NEED YOUR INSPIRATION!

<3

Ssejors!

Kelly said...

that is the sweetest story I have ever heard!!!

Sandi said...

Words fall short of my expressing how wonderful your family is! Your courage and grace are inspiring to so many of us. I'm getting teary eyed just thinking of how lucky she and Ava are. We will watch the process of your adoption and link yours to our blog in hopes that others will be inspired or if they cannot at least to contribute in some way toward yours or other adoptions. Oh how this post warms my heart. Blessings.

Chelley said...

Oh, my goodness

Oh wow!


Oh wow!

Can I borrow him PLEASE!!!