A happy New Year reunion

NORFOLK, Va. - At every airport, every day, anticipation walks through the door.

It tries to focus in a crowd.

It stops to look for luggage.

On most days, it lasts just a few minutes, often ending with a hug. But for Edith Woodley, sitting at the gate inside Norfolk International Airport, anticipation has aged 5 decades. "I've been praying and looking forward to this day 50 years," she said.

That's how long it's been since she's held her daughter Sandra after giving her up for adoption.

Woodley's other daughter, Shelia, found out about Sandra in 1991. She found Sandra December 14, 2009. We've been searching since 91, gone to different agencies and this time, in 5 minutes, I was on the phone and speaking with her," Shelia Bennette told WAVY.com.

Friday, New Year's Day, she was ready to see Sandra. Ready for a reunion.

"I'm glad God spared my life so that I can see her, tell her the circumstances and how much I've loved her all these years," Woodley added, minutes before the reunion.

Words were one thing until that special moment made them disappear.

A 50 year gap was bridged in one embrace.

"It was like the hug from the first one I gave her and the last one I gave her...I held her just like that when i had to say goodbye and to be able to do it all over again and say hello is wonderful," Woodley sobbed.

"Happy is an understatement," Sandra said, "God created her for me and me for her."

It seemed New Years 2010 was created to be far more than just happy. The emotion that's come together was more powerful than any letter to build any word.

"I'm just overwhelmed. My heart is just so full."