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I’m on my laptop trying to do a little work when Elisa pushes open the door and slides up next to me. “Baba, I want to play you”. She then says “no Dora. no iPhone. no little bit Dora.” She says this because in the past I’ve told her “No Dora" only to relent and use the computer to play “Dora the Explorer” games with her. She knows I cannot resist.

Later in the day I am waiting outside of Aidan and Lydia’s school, Fangcaodi, doing pick up duties. Like most days Lydia comes out first escorted by her teacher. Lydia sees me and beams a big smile and tells the teacher her father is here. She comes through the gate and slides up to me and gives be a hug. We are happy together waiting for Lydia’s friend Naomi and Aidan to come to the gate.

Aidan’s affection is a bit less direct but still there. One day recently I was at my desk in the den reading something. Aidan comes in the room and sits down in the chair next to me and reads. Doesn’t say anything, he just wants to be close by.

I’ve been home now for most of the past 11 months. There was a lot of things I wanted to do – finally learn some chinese, launch a startup, write more, redecorate, … – but never did. The one thing I cherish and would not trade for anything in the world is getting closer to Aidan, Lydia, and Elisa. There will be a time soon when I won’t have the same amount of time with them but I’m hopeful that the foundation we laid in the past year will carry us through and if anything we will get even closer.