Hope - I am sitting at home right now and it is 10 pm the night before we leave for China to come and finally meet you. I have a few things I wanted to tell you before we meet:

Your sisters Hannah and Caroline and your brothers Joseph and Charlie cannot wait to meet you. They have been talking about you for almost a whole year. You will love them with all of your heart as they will you. They are a funny and crazy little foursome and they are counting down the days until they can become the funny and crazy little fivesome.

Your mommy is just madly in love with you. You are going to never want to leave her side once you meet her. She is funny, beautiful and full of more love and caring than any little girl could imagine. She keeps telling me everyday how lucky she is to be your mommy and when you meet her you will see how true that is!!

You have had a special place in my heart since the first time I saw your picture. I am thrilled that God brought you to us and I promise to always try and be the best daddy in the world to you (and since you are my youngest daughter I promise that when you get married you will have the best wedding any girl could imagine - you might not want to share this secret with Hannah and Caroline!!! ) You are a beautiful and special angel and I am the luckiest person in the world to have the pleasure of being your daddy.

I know you will probably be scared and nervous the first time we see each other. It is o.k. because we understand and know it is very normal for you to feel that way. I promise that your mommy, your sister Hannah and I will do everything we can to comfort you and help ease your sorrow. I will also be nervous and anxious to meet you but I know you will make that all go away the first time I see you.

 It is late so I am going to go to sleep now so I will be nice and rested for when we meet. I will see you in 3 days.

I love you with all of my heart.

Daddy