I can’t tell you how many years I have waited to become a grandmother.

I had just about lost hope when, approximately two years ago, our daughter and her husband told us they had started the adoption process. Then the waiting began.

Last October, they finally got the referral for a baby boy born in South Korea on Feb. 28, 2010. We received four pictures and his history. Then a new wait began. Fortunately, monthly medical reports were sent and a few more photos but the wait was difficult for all.

We missed his first Christmas and his first birthday and were afraid we’d miss other important firsts but the call to travel finally came the morning of March 11. By March 14 we were on a plane headed for Seoul, South Korea.

I knew that Seoul was one of the largest cities in the world (it ranks from No. 2 to No. 6, depending on which list you consult), but I was still astonished by the endless skyscrapers, traffic and activity. I was impressed with the incredibly friendly people and how clean and modern the city was. Because we had to wait until March 17 to meet Kasey (his Korean name is Si-Hu), we actually had time to visit two traditional markets, a palace, the Seoul Tower, and the Korean War Memorial.

I was truly not prepared for the emotional transfer from his foster mother at the adoption agency. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room and Kasey picked up on the tension. He cried and sobbed and only wanted what was familiar to him:  his foster mother. Finally, the social worker took him and his foster mother left.  Kasey cried throughout the twenty-five minute cab ride back to the hotel. Then he continued to cry for five hours in the hotel room.  Any parent knows the difference between a “brat” cry and a “distress” cry.  This little guy’s heart was broken and he wailed and sobbed until he finally fell asleep next to his new dad. None of us looked forward to the long flight home with this inconsolable child.

The next morning a miracle happened. Kasey sensed that he was safe with his new parents. He actually went to breakfast in the hotel dining room and did not fuss. We took him to the store and purchased baby food and snacks. We arrived at the airport where he went through immigration and then played with his dad in a play area. We took him to a restaurant for lunch and he sat in a high chair and ate applesauce and cookies. When we boarded the plane he sat on his mother’s lap and played with the controls for the video system. On the nine and a half hour flight home, he slept, ate, played, and only cried twice for just a few minutes.

Now we are all experiencing important firsts. He was placed in a car seat for the first time. We took him to Costco and he rode in the cart and enjoyed a sample of pasta. He reached for the baby food and snacks in Safeway. He went for a stroller ride around his new neighborhood.  He visited City Hall, saw his first cat and dog and played Grandma’s piano. Each day he smiles and laughs more and is becoming comfortable in his new surroundings. We anticipate many more important firsts as we welcome this precious child into our lives.

Kasey Lewis Koch is finally home in Black Diamond with his forever family.

Rebecca Olness is a new proud grandmother and mayor of Black Diamond.

Kasey is 13 months old.