My middle exchange daughter graduating
For some years now, Deb and I have been proactive in opening our home to exchange students for High School. We've done this 2 times before. Once with a South Korean, and another with a Brazilian. All the kids provided an adventure that can't be beaten. My first Brazilian is still near us. Graduating from high school, then graduating college in Wisconsin, then working as a Researcher at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Very proud papa.
After 5 years of taking our first Brazilian, we decided to take another as our experience was amazing with the first. We worked with ISE (international student exchange) to get things started. The lady we worked with was/is amazing. She recommended our last and she did a number with the suggestions of the new kids. Got a list of 5 kids from all over the world. Turkey, Austria, Mexico, and 2 Brazilians. We choose our kid on three points. (1) she's Brazilian (super easy) (2) she was an artist, (3) She was a straight-up beast of an athlete. She specialized in team handball is good. Good enough to travel outside of Brazil for ball. This allowed us to know she could do sports throughout the year, which she did with Volleyball, Basketball, and then Track.
Anyway, from the moment she arrived at the airport and she FOUND us (not the other way around). it is been a great ride. From eating ice cream at our favorite spot (Grand Ole Creamery), and weekend art projects (oil pastel youtube channels), to me picking her up and asking, "How was your day" and not accepting anything but a complete breakdown of her day. She just made it work. Like my last Brazilian. They talk. They have personalities. They care. They warm up to you and thus, you warm up back. I can speak on just how wonderful they are.
But like all fun times, a "year" has gone by, and watched as this amazing kiddo grew up to be a woman. Taking her to the graduation ceremony allowed me to realize the growth this young woman has gone through and was watching her take the next step in life. I don't tear up often, but I was overcome by the enormity of the moment and did shed a tear (it might have been smoke in the air). As exchange parents, these moments stick. just like you watch your kid have their moments, you see these young adults have theirs, and it's not lost on many.
I gush about my kids. Deb and I couldn't have our own, but we have gone about having as many kids as we can. From adopting our baby to hosting an exchange kiddo. We want a full life. they offer that. the moment we took in our first from South Korea, it's one of the most rewarding moments in my life and we knew that it was just right. it allowed us to grow and be better parents with our baby kiddo. I've grown artistically through them, and grown emotionally as well.
Thank you to all my kids, and most of all today, my middle exchange daughter from Brazil. You are my pride in life.