The day had arrived, the 48 hours for signing the adoption consent were about to be fulfilled. With the experience we had already lived in our first process, we more or less knew the dynamics, and we had taken care of as much paperwork as possible in advance to try to make that moment easier.
That morning we got ready very early. We checked out at the hotel reception before heading out. Even though the 48 hours wouldn’t be completed until late in the afternoon, our plan was to spend the whole day at the hospital, so we preferred to have that task done.
We arrived at the hospital just as the sun was rising. The parking lot was almost empty. I remember the air still carried that fresh morning mist. Somehow, everything felt quieter than the day before. Maybe calmer or maybe that was just my perception.
We brought coffee and donuts to have breakfast with the biological parents, and, just as we had done the day before, we went straight to the room. But just before entering, the nurses stopped us. Very gently, they explained that they had prepared a room for us.
To be honest, they didn’t say much more. They just asked us to wait there. We handed over the coffee and donuts so they could give them to the biological parents, and then we walked into the room. We were very unsettled. I called the social worker, who told me she was already on her way and would explain everything once she arrived.
That room felt so big, so empty. I remember we were nervous, pacing back and forth, trying not to imagine scenarios, but filled with uncertainty. After a while, the social worker arrived and began to explain.
The birth mother was ready to be discharged. Adoption consent documents were signed either once the 48 hours had passed or when the birth mother was discharged. That’s why they had moved us to another room, the parents had asked to be alone with the baby to say goodbye.
I remember feeling such a mixture of emotions in that moment. Even now, as I write this, I can’t help but relive it. We were so excited because we were getting closer to receiving temporary custody, which meant being able to go home with the baby and begin our life as a family of four. But at the same time, I couldn’t stop thinking about the pain the biological parents must have been feeling.
In those moments we shared, we witnessed the deep, selfless love they felt for their baby. But they were facing a very difficult decision, one rooted in their desire to give their child a better future even if that meant they wouldn’t be a part of it.
The social worker left to gather some documents and told us she’d be back as soon as possible. Time went by and we had no news. We kept waiting in the room until we were told there was a delay because the birth mother needed to stabilize her blood pressure before being discharged. Once it normalized, everything could move forward.
A little later, they brought the baby to us. For the first time, the three of us were together. For the first time, I felt like I could hold him, snuggle him, talk to him, kiss him, all at once. We were finally able to release everything we had been holding back little by little. It was such a special moment for the three of us.
The hours began to pass, and we remained in the room. Lunchtime came, and the nurses came in to check on the baby, but still no information for us. The social worker confirmed we were still waiting on the biological parents’ signatures.
About five hours had passed since we were given the room. The calm I had felt in the morning had already disappeared, and now the feeling was pure uncertainty. The three of us were together, but we knew everything depended on that signature.
Finally, the social worker came in with the signed documents. She explained that the delay was due to the birth father being rushed for an emergency evaluation for a possible heart attack. Thank God it wasn’t, he had suffered a panic attack.
It was such a difficult moment for them. I can’t even begin to imagine all they must have felt, thought, or doubted. But in the end, they signed the adoption papers with faith that they were making the best decision for their baby’s future.
The social worker went on to explain that the biological parents were outside the room, and they wanted to say goodbye to us and to the baby. We said yes, of course, we also wanted to see them and say goodbye.
They came in, and you could see on their faces how hard the decision had been. We hugged in silence; there weren’t many words exchanged in that time together. I believe in that silence we understood each other perfectly, we knew what we were all feeling. They said goodbye to the baby, we exchanged a few words, and after a few minutes, we parted ways.
And that’s how we began our journey home, after living through a moment full of love. A moment I relive with so much feeling, one that fills my heart, and that marked the beginning of our life as a family of four.
Grateful to have you here, heart to heart.
Melli
