Meeting Ruth Veronica Hess

May 11, 2017

We agreed to meet Hannah and Callum at 3:45 in the hotel lobby. Ironically the hotel has multiple lobbies, as we went to the first floor and they were waiting for us on the fourth floor.

 

This is Ruth waiting for us. 

We met below. The meeting between Callum, Hannah, Trent and me was like the meeting between family or dear friends. They have been in constant communication with us since December, 2016. 

Before walking the 15 minutes to their home we sat for a few minutes in a little cafe in our hotel to get acquainted and to let Ruthie warm up. I had brought her a little play phone which she liked. She played a game with Trent, passing the phone back and forth across the table. Hannah remarked that Ruthie has never taken to someone so quickly. 

Hannah offered to let me push her stroller back to their home but Ruth was not impressed with this idea. Hannah ended up carrying her much of the way. When she is uncertain or in new situations she tends to draw into herself and become very still and quiet. 

Once back in her familiar surroundings she warmed right up. 

 

She was happy to show us how she can drink water from a big girl cup and only spilled once. :) 

April, from Holt's Beijing office came by to give us the documents needed for us to take Ruthie on the plane on Sunday. She also gave us a CD of all the pictures and videos of Ruth during the 6 months she lived at Peace House (from when she was 7 months old to one year old). I'm really grateful to have those as a special part of Ruthie's history and am excited to take the CD home and look through it!

Ruth's Ayi (Chinese nanny) who takes care of her during the day while Hannah and Callum are at work, then came home with Iona and Freya from school. Ruth was happy to see her and it was really precious to see the bond between them. She doesn't speak English but thankfully Callum and Hannah were good interpreters for us. She commented on how young we are and how we must have such big hearts to want to adopt from China. 

Hannah had said this would be hard for Ayi as she really loves Ruth so much. We gave our gift to her that day. 

 

I had a canvas bag made with 9 pictures of Ruth on it, and it said "xie xie" which means thank you. There were some chocolates, a hand lotion, a Lancaster keychain, a framed photo of Ruth, a ring with Ruth's name and birthstone on it, and a Mama Hess painting shirt. She was so excited about the shirt that she ran back to the bedroom and put it on. We took a quick picture. 

 

We joined them for the meal that Ayi had made: creamy chicken and rice. After not eating for probably 24 hours it was just what we needed. Nothing too crazy or spicy but comforting. 

 

We were able to give Ruth her bath before bed. She is very determined and wanted to do things herself. It was hilarious to watch her throw her leg up onto the side of the bath and scrub her tiny leg with a bar of soap. 

Callum gave Ruth her bottle before bed. She was not settling down as easily as she usually does so we took our leave. Callum walked us back to our hotel. 

It was a perfect first meeting. We are grateful!