As I sit here, with my "big event" case of writer's block, I am at a loss for what to say. I could start with how I knew, from the very beginning, that you would one day be the greatest father. But somehow, that doesn't really capture my feelings adequately.

So instead of writing a lot, I want to post one of your favorite video clips. This was taken on our second day of our first trip to Russia. Iliya had spent most of the morning not really wanting much to do with you...but despite his hesitancy, you pulled him out of his shell, even if for a moment, before he wanted his caregiver again. It was a moment we watched over & over again as we waited for the call to go back and bring Iliya home forever.



We had no idea that last Father's Day, we would have less than a month before we would receive that call.

And on July 20th, around 4:30 p.m. (Vlad Time), we walked out of the Vladivostok court house, got in the car, and at 9:00 p.m., walked into the baby home to pick Iliya up to bring him home for good. I will never forget the next day, as we walked around the hotel grounds during the Canada Day celebration (in Russia, no less!), you looked over at me - with your son's hand in your hand and tears in your eyes and said, "I am so happy...I can't believe how good this feels."

Since then, we have had lots of good times as a family...and you have proven your worth time and again, as a father! And I am looking forward to many more years of life as a family...with you, Iliya, and any other children that will make our house a home.

Happy Father's Day!!
Love,
~Melissa