I waited a lifetime for today....

Turtle made me cry today.

They were tears of joy I can promise you.

I hugged my daughter and she hugged me back!! She wrapped those tiny little arms around my neck and squeezed. It was amazing. I cannot tell you the shear joy that coursed through my body and soul. This is MY daughter, and she hugged ME!! I never imagined that little squeeze would so totally rock me to the core. I have waited so long for that grasp, that unshielded gesture of love, that when it came today, my heart was totally unprepared for the emotion that overcame me, and I cried. I nuzzled into that soft, baby scented neck, and I cried. I cried for all of the years that I waited for that feeling, the years of hoping and dreaming, the times when I had given up on even having her. I cried for the feelings of today, and I cried for the many years that Turtle will keep bringing me to tears with a simple little hug.

Who would have known that it could be so sweet??

When I dried my tears and pulled her back so that I could look into that sweet little face, she grinned at me and started to giggle.... she has never giggled before today either. Awesome. She is becoming Turtle. She is finally totally aware, and showing us how she feels. I am so to pieces over this little girl!! I just stared in wonder as she giggled at me again, and again. The tears started all over. I couldn't have imagined in a million years how this day would feel. It will never be this fresh and raw for me again I suspect. This is a day that I will remember for the rest of my life, and hold in my heart, next to the day that she was born.

Today My Daughter Loved Me.