Well, we did it!!! Finally, every paper is signed and every document filed away. Our adoption of Emmanuel is finally complete! Its crazy to think that this last year with our Manny, we were still in the waiting phase. Now he is 100% ours on paper! He has been ours since day 1, but now the state recognizes us as his parents. His new birth certificate will say that Mitch and I are his mom and dad.
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I was surprised at how quickly the hearing finished. I think it only took about 15 minutes. This past year I have been waiting for this big boom or for fireworks to go off when we finally finalized... but it was over before I realized. The judge went over some paperwork, we signed a few things, then the next thing I knew he was shaking our hands and congratulating us. We left the courtroom and all the security guards at the entrance were applauding. We walked in as a family, and walked out as a different kind of family.
 | We went out to lunch after. It all felt so surreal. I knew what had just happened, but it was so hard to believe that "that was it." Like I said, it just wasn't what I had expected. We walked in the door when we got home, and I thought to myself, "we just adopted our son... no more court, no more lawyers, no more papers to sign... he's just ours... from now on...". |
I knelt down on the floor in front of my son and said, "Emmanuel, honey! I'm your mommy!" He flashed me a big grin, threw his arms open and jumped into my arms and hugged me. My heart swelled. I love him so much. He is just starting to hug on his own, and volunteered hugs are still rare, so this was a special moment for me. I am the only mom he has ever known, but I felt very affirmed just the same. Rocking him to sleep for his nap that day never felt so good.
I would adopt again in a heartbeat. Paperwork, waiting, and all! When I would hear about adoption, the biggest thing I remember hearing is "paperwork." There is so much paperwork. And it is true... I won't lie, I signed a lot of papers and filled out even more forms. I don't think I have written my name and address so many times in my life. But it was all worth it. I would even say, it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. Everything about adoption is wonderful, except that it is very difficult and it keeps so many from not pursuing it.
| There was a time I thought, "the main reason I want to have biological children is because it is easier." But now that I have adopted, I wouldn't have it any other way. It wasn't easy, no, but the blessings far outweigh any grief. Most things in life worth having, are not come by easily. |  |
I was telling Emmanuel Bible stories the other night. I was telling him the story of Jacob and how he worked 7 years to marry his wife, but it felt like days because he loved her so much. I said, "Kinda how mommy and daddy waited a long time for you... but we love you so much, looking back, it was like no time at all. You were worth the wait." Would I want to go through all the waiting again... all the unknowing? No... but I'm grateful for the experience and the times that I did have to wait. It makes me soak in every moment I have with my son.
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I feel like I have the opportunity to not take for granted what so many moms inevitably do. I have studied my child and know him so well. He knows without a doubt that I am his mommy. He would rather be with daddy and I than anyone else in the world. I look at him and sometimes think sadly, "he's growing so fast," but then I always smile, because I know that I have been there for all of it... I haven't missed anything. I look forward to watching this boy grow up in our home. Welcome to the Black Family officially Emmanuel Brian!!! And happy first of many "gotcha days" that we will celebrate together! So glad this day finally came!
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