The great thing about the way our trips are organized is that everyday allowed us time to take our little girl out for a date. We would have been fine with just sitting with her at the orphanage, but she was anxiously waiting for us after school each day and had no intentions on staying in the home.
The city was at her fingertips, and each day we presented her with ideas we had gathered from the tourist book in our hotel. She thoughtfully considered all her options, and then told us and the driver, “To the airport!” Our baby girl just wants to go home!
Knowing that I’d be sent to jail for any attempt of just taking her now, we convinced her to stay in St. Petersburg and treasure every second together… hand in hand. On Tuesday, we laced up some ice skates and ungracefully glided across the ice. We laughed so hard as we took turns pushing each other backwards and spinning each other around in circles. Then, of course we ended our time together with ice cream… I mean it was only -9 outside!“Can I dance here?”
Wednesday we had her to ourselves for the entire day! There is nothing quite like the Hermitage Museum, which is housed in the Winter Palace. The palace is like several White Houses placed side by side and painted just beautifully. Just looking at it takes your breath away. We assumed it would be too common for her, but she was in awe of the chance to visit because she hasn’t been since she was 9 years old. She asked to start with the Egyptian artifacts because she had just studied Egypt in school. She had the translator tell her every little detail and she nodded along excitedly.
Art pieces by Monet, Da Vinci, Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Michelangelo… all impressive. But… when your little girl stands in the main ballroom of the Royal family and slowly spins in a circle… time freezes and the music comes alive. She is my Russian princess, and I couldn’t take my eyes off of her. She smiles at me, grabs my hand and my heart dissolves.
"Can I have some soup?"
The children know that they will be asked if they had soup while they were out. She can proudly say yes, and much, much more. Our coordinator had taken us to a little restaurant that makes the greatest soups and pies, and we knew we should take her there. She ate twice as much as I did and savored every bite! The best part of each meal was that she would come alive with chatter while we sat around the table. She asked so many questions and told us a lot about herself. I can’t wait for the day that we can just talk straight to each other… because that little girl can talk!“Now to the airport?”
After lunch, she tried again to get the driver to go to the airport. He just laughed with her and said he would get in trouble! So, instead, we visited the original island of St. Petersburg and went inside the St. Peter and Paul Cathedral. It was so majestic! The most detailed carvings and all covered with a thin layer of gold. Again, she hungered for the history. She wanted to know about each historical detail and royal burial. We have a smart little girl, and it fills me with joy to know that she loves history too!
And also, just like her mama, she loves her chocolate! We had some time left before we were expected back at the orphanage, and she didn’t want to go back until she absolutely had to, so we hit the town for the famous Russian Pilini. I ordered mine with chocolate and bananas, so did she, with a smile beaming across her face! Normal people fill it with meat, pork, potatoes… but not us!As we inhaled our treats, she took the opportunity to ask us about how we celebrate the holidays in our family. Her eye lit up at the thought of presents from two sets of grandparents and aunts and uncles. We told her, that we read two different stories on Christmas Eve and then cuddle together in our bed… 2 adults + 3 kids + 2 dogs… this year will be interesting! She loved the idea and can’t wait to be a part of it!
“My Russian Sister”
Months ago, her sister “friended” me on Facebook. What started out timidly quickly grew into two loving people, sharing the same hopes for a little girl they both care about.
Her sister has shared their entire family history, pictures of our daughter as a baby, a toddler, and all the stages up to now. She tells me the funny things, like how she refuses to wear a coat in the winter, how she is a stubborn child, how smart she is and can do anything she attempts to do. She has taught me about my daughter’s past, and I am forever grateful.
She sent me her phone number, and while we were there, our coordinator arranged a lunch date for us to meet. We walked into the small café and noticed a tiny, little thing sitting by herself in the corner. She looked scared. I walked over to her, varified it was her, she nodded and stood, and we quickly hugged. Her tiny body felt tiny in my arms and our hearts raced with an overload of emotions. That’s all it took before the tears filled our eyes. As she looked deeply into my eyes, I could see every emotion she was feeling.
We both had dozens of questions for each other, and to say we were grateful for our translator is an understatement. She’s young, very young, and has two children of her own. She works hard and is very talented. But, the burden of taking in a teenager is just too much. I can see that it breaks her heart, but she assures me that she knows a family is what is best for her sister. She loved hearing about our families and our kids, and we’ve agreed to meet her kids on our third trip. Then, after two hours of constant chatter, the fear was out of her eyes and a smile spread across her face. I think it's hard for others to understand my need to know this girl, but her happiness means the world to me. She is part of my family now. I plan to visit her and share many wonderful years together... as sisters.
We drove her home and held on to each other the whole way. Finally, my curiosity got the best of me and I had to know how good I would look in her beautiful Russian hat! We got silly and took some pictures together as we giggled like sisters! Priceless!
Her sister has shared their entire family history, pictures of our daughter as a baby, a toddler, and all the stages up to now. She tells me the funny things, like how she refuses to wear a coat in the winter, how she is a stubborn child, how smart she is and can do anything she attempts to do. She has taught me about my daughter’s past, and I am forever grateful.
She sent me her phone number, and while we were there, our coordinator arranged a lunch date for us to meet. We walked into the small café and noticed a tiny, little thing sitting by herself in the corner. She looked scared. I walked over to her, varified it was her, she nodded and stood, and we quickly hugged. Her tiny body felt tiny in my arms and our hearts raced with an overload of emotions. That’s all it took before the tears filled our eyes. As she looked deeply into my eyes, I could see every emotion she was feeling.
We both had dozens of questions for each other, and to say we were grateful for our translator is an understatement. She’s young, very young, and has two children of her own. She works hard and is very talented. But, the burden of taking in a teenager is just too much. I can see that it breaks her heart, but she assures me that she knows a family is what is best for her sister. She loved hearing about our families and our kids, and we’ve agreed to meet her kids on our third trip. Then, after two hours of constant chatter, the fear was out of her eyes and a smile spread across her face. I think it's hard for others to understand my need to know this girl, but her happiness means the world to me. She is part of my family now. I plan to visit her and share many wonderful years together... as sisters.
We drove her home and held on to each other the whole way. Finally, my curiosity got the best of me and I had to know how good I would look in her beautiful Russian hat! We got silly and took some pictures together as we giggled like sisters! Priceless!
“To the airport!” she tried again on Thursday! We compromised with bowling and ice cream. I remembered how much she liked taking pictures with my camera when she was out in July, so as we took turns bowling, we took turns with the camera. There were more pictures of my backside that had to be deleted then there should ever be! After every roll of the ball, we knew we had to turn around and strike a pose or make a face because that camera would be flashing at us! She was so playful and silly the whole time.
Later, while once again inhaling ice cream in subzero temperatures, I turned the camera to play and asked her if she would like to see a surprise. She nodded. I clicked to one of pictures of her sister and I, turned the camera to her, and watched her face closely. How would she react? Her eyes widened and she smiled! “When, how, where???” She couldn’t believe that we met, but you could tell it pleased her! I explained everything to our translator and she told her about our lunch date. I spared no details. I wanted her to know that protecting their relationship is very important to us. That made her happy, too!Before long, it was time to take her back and say our goodbyes. She cried her own tears as she wiped away mine. She told me, “It’s ok. It’s ok.” And it will be. We knew we wouldn’t get to see her on Friday, and then we’d be headed home… which is where we are now, as I write… somewhere up in the air past Ohio, on our way home!
As long as I write, I can smile and imagine each second replaying through my words. Each time I talk about her, my heart skips with love, excitement and joy. Leaving the St. Petersburg airport was the worst feeling I’ve ever felt, my heart felt broken, my lungs felt crushed, and my mind raced. But now, I can look forward, knowing that there is nothing to do but trust in God’s perfect timing. And soon (hopefully in 6 weeks)... I will see that precious little face again!
