How it all went down

Today we received news of our "official" match with our daughter!  Read on to find out how it all went down!

Beth had a feeling for the past few months that September was going to be our month. Given her track record on being right with her feelings, Howard was pretty optimistic as well. But she was getting nervous so about a week ago she contacted our social worker to "see where things stood". Our social worker, "D", inquired with our agency China Team as to where we were. They had a few follow-up questions for us on the scope of the special needs we were open to and gave us a general idea of where we stood. Based on what they told us, it was starting to look less likely that we would be matched in September but still likely to happen within next few months. Regardless, we still held out some hope for September.

The morning of September 20 arrived and since Beth religously checks all the discussion boards concerning China adoption we knew that a new special needs list was coming out on this day. It was also our understanding that if matched families are usually called between 8 and 10am. So, we were cautiously optimistic and maybe a bit anxious that morning. So, we begin our days as normal going to work. 9am - no phone call, 10am-no phone call, 11am - no phone call. By this point we figured it just wasn't going to be our month and the dejection sets in. At noon no longer expecting a phone call, Howard leaves the office to run a few errands. At approximately 12:04pm EDT, Beth's cell phone rings. She looks at the number displayed on the caller ID. It's our social worker's number.

The call went something like this:
Beth : "Helllllo?"
SW: "Hi Beth! It's D"
Beth: "Hi!."
SW: "Are you sitting down"
Beth:"Yes, and I am crying already!"
SW: "J just called and you have been matched with a beautiful daughter from China"

We have a daughter. She's about 26 months old and is from Shanghai, China. Aside from a minor heart condition that's already healed and being a little small, she's very healthy.

After composing herself, Beth tries to call Howard. She tries his cell, no answer. She tries his work number, no answer. She sends a frantic text message saying Debby called, call her ASAP! Howard finally looks at his phone as he's leaving the BB&T Bank on I and 16th streets in DC. As he's walking down I street towards 15th he calls her back and receives the good news.

The craziness has begun.