“We had so many people praying for us and supporting us, so it was wonderful to get to share our new daughter with them just minutes after we first held her,” Huff says.

Taking their new daughter home to a China hotel room was not the perfect scenario, but a necessary one as final paperwork had to be completed.

Mia Grace immediately began to roll around on the room’s big bed, a special treat after spending her life confined to a small crib. Ben instinctively knew how to make Mia Grace feel at home, his father says. He lay down by his new sister and began to tickle her, causing her to giggle for the first time.

Arriving at the Jackson Airport, a large group of family and friends was waiting to greet the newly-expanded family. Grace didn’t officially become an American citizen until the plane touched down on U. S. soil, so hearing the flight attendant announce “a new American citizen is on board” was another unforgettable moment.

After the excitement of the arrival, the Huffs set about acclimating Mia Grace to her new surroundings. Brothers Miles and Matthew were “thrilled to death” with their new sister and have been a big help in helping her settle in to family life, Huff says.

Although she rarely cried or laughed, Mia Grace adapted quickly to life in America. According to her adoring father, her first word was “Da-Da.” While she seemed happy and content, it took awhile for her to return the hugs and kisses bestowed on her by an adoring group of relatives.

When receiving a hug from her daddy, Mia Grace would allow the embrace, but wouldn’t rest her hands on his shoulders. This continued for several months, until the momentous day that Mia Grace finally rested her head and tiny hands on her daddy’s shoulders. It’s a moment Huff will never forget.

“It was a very moving experience that’s hard to describe,” Huff said. “I thought the first time I saw her face would be the greatest, but that moment when she laid her head on my shoulder – that was one of the best.”

Today, the Huffs will attend church at Hebron Baptist Church and gather afterwards at the Hubbard’s for Father’s Day lunch. The food, family and presents will undoubtedly be special. But for Jim Huff, the faces around the table will be the most meaningful.

“Today is Father’s Day, but I'm thankful every day I wake up that I have three children who call me Daddy,'” he said. “I can’t imagine life without Ben, Miles, Matthew and Mia Grace.”