It is incredible to think that it was only in May 2017 when we once again walked through the doors of the adoption agency. It was our second time, and although our hearts were filled with the joy of growing our family, deep down I carried a little fear. Part of me didn’t want to tempt fate. Our first experience had gone so well that I found it hard to believe we could be blessed with such luck again.
After my research, I had convinced myself that our path this time was adoption through the state. Somehow, I thought that would be a more “secure” route.
But as always, God had His strategy and moved the pieces, while we allowed ourselves to be guided. We went forward with confidence, but always with that quiet nervousness inside.
And thanks to that plan of God, seven months after that May appointment, we were arriving home with our son, full of love and so excited to introduce him to his big sister, who was anxiously waiting for us.
During those two days in the hospital, we didn’t have the headspace to think about the house repairs that were still pending, or rather, they simply faded into the background. The truth was that upon returning with the baby, we would have the final visit from the social worker, the last step before appearing in front of the judge.
But what we didn’t know was that, that night, my family was waiting for us with a surprise. Like true Christmas elves, they had secretly taken care of everything. Not only had they completed the essential repairs, but they had also decorated the entire house for Christmas to welcome our little gift from Baby Jesus.
That first night was magical. We received visits from my family and my closest friends. It was one of those moments so special that it stays forever engraved in your heart. I can say with absolute certainty that it was the most special Christmas I have ever lived.
The following weeks were full of adjustments to our new family routine, with sleepless nights, new schedules, and long days together. The four of us often ended up sleeping in the same room, and many times in the same bed.
Overall, the adaptation felt easy at first, until the holidays ended and the new year began. That’s when I finally understood the question the social worker had asked me during one of our meetings: “How do you plan to manage your routine with two children, knowing the way you are?”I had to slow down, learning to juggle remote work with a newborn, a preschooler, and my husband back to his full-time job. The shift from one child to two completely changed my plans and forced me to take things day by day.
Four months later, all the paperwork was complete. Our lawyer called to let us know we had a court date for the adoption decree. This time, we were lucky that my in-laws were visiting, so we all went together, my parents, my siblings, my in-laws, and the four of us.
We arrived at the courthouse confident we knew how things would go, but this time the process was a little different. We were directed to another part of the building, waited in the hallway for a while, and then were called into a courtroom just like the ones you see in the movies, the judge in front, the defense and prosecution tables, and us seated in the audience along with our lawyer and family, waiting for our case to be called.
It was a family court, but that day the only adoption case was ours. When our case was called, we walked to the front, the four of us with our lawyer. We sat at one table, while our lawyer sat at the other. Honestly, I don’t even know if we were on the “defense” or “accused” side. What I do know is that the judge asked our lawyer to present the case, and he did.
After listening, the judge began telling us how much joy adoption cases brought him. He explained that these processes filled him with hope, since most family cases are usually complicated, with disputes and conflicts.
He continued explaining what adoption meant legally, and how this process would officially unite us as a family. After a few minutes, he asked us to stand and posed a few questions: if we understood that adoption is for life, if we comprehended that from that moment we would legally be a family, and if we were willing to love our son unconditionally.
That day, in that courtroom, standing with our two children in our arms, our families as witnesses, and strangers in the audience, we said the most awaited “YES” of our lives. The “YES” that officially made us the family we are today.
Grateful to have you here, heart to heart.
Melli
