Dear Isaac

Before your sister was born, your mom and I decided that we were each going to write her a letter.  We wanted to tell her a little about what it was like waiting for her arrival and about all the different things that we did to get ready and also about all the many emotions we were feeling.  This is going to be my letter to you.

We have been waiting for you for what seems like forever.  Truth be told, your mom has been waiting even longer than Anna and me.  Ever since your mom was a little girl she has been dreaming about adoption and you are her dream come true.  She shared that dream with me before we got married and the dream became mine as well.  Now 10 years later we are getting ready to board a plane and bring you home!

I want to tell you a little bit about your name and why it is so special to your mom and me.  Let's start with your first name.  One of the things most married couples do when they start talking about having children is to start thinking of ideas for names.  Your mom and I landed on the name Isaac long before God gave you to us, but the moment we received the envelope with your pictures inside we knew that it was the perfect name.  Isaac means "he laughs" and when we opened up that envelope you were laughing and smiling in each and every picture... and we were laughing through tears of joy as we looked at your beautiful smile!

At the time I am writing this letter I'm not allowed to write your Korean name on the blog because of different rules and regulations but I want to tell you about it anyway.  Your middle name means "house builder" and is further proof that God chose you specifically for our family.  Both of your Papaws were carpenters (house builders).  Not only did they build houses, they turned our houses into homes where we knew we were safe and loved and learned about how Jesus, who was also a carpenter, loved us more than anything in this whole wide world.

Children always inherit something from their parents throughout their lives, character traits, genes, etc.  There are a few things that by the time you're old enough to read this letter you will be pleased that I could not pass along to you; my snoring for example!  There is one thing that I do hope you inherit from me though and that is a love for God.  The greatest gift I have ever been given is a family with parents and grand parents who taught me about God's love for me, and I pray that throughout your life you might see His love for you shining through me.  He knew your name before you were born and he knew that our family would be incomplete without you.

I can't wait to meet you for the very first time and to hold you in my arms.  I can't wait to introduce you to your sister and the wonder dog we call Bacon... they both like to kiss a lot so hopefully you'll keep your mouth closed!  I can't wait to see your grand parents smiling and making goofy faces trying to make you laugh.  Most of all, I can't wait to have you home.  You are about to change our world... and I can't wait!

I love you big guy!

Dad