In early October 2011 Laura and I traveled to New Delhi to bring Ruchi home. One of the best decisions of my life. So grateful to have her in our family!
When the orphanage gave Ruchi to us they asked for all the clothes she was wearing to be returned. The picture on the left is Ruchi in our New Delhi hotel room wearing clothes we brought from the US, and turning Laura’s scarf into her own dupita.
So much has happened. We started off with Ruchi learning what it was like to be with an American family, speak English, and care for a dog.
The dog was top of her list! She bonded with our little terrier mix, Betsy, and has made her canine companions a priority in every aspect of her life today.
Schools, from kindergarten to college, have been a big part of life in Maryland. Ruchi is now a junior at the U of Maryland. The above picture on the right was taken in our house just last Saturday at our family celebration of the anniversary.
Fifteen years later, I look at these two pictures and am struck by how much life they hold between them. The little girl who made Laura’s scarf her own has grown into a remarkable young woman, finding her own way in the world. I am so proud of who Ruchi has become and profoundly grateful that, all those years ago in New Delhi, our lives became hers and hers became ours.
What a gift it has been to be her dad.
“Making the decision to have a child… is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.”
– Elizabeth Stone
