Waiting under the stairs of the courthouse. It felt like time was crawling at a snail’s pace. My emotions were swirling. What was I supposed to be experiencing? Relief? Joy? Giddy excitement? Exhaustion? In my confusion, each sensation took a brief swirl through my body and brought eyes brimming with tears, cold sweats, yawns, giggles, and inevitably full blown sobs.
The kids made an honest attempt at patience, although the contentment brought by coloring books and snacks waned quickly. They sensed the weight of the morning’s events, yet as more friends and family surrounded us with their love and support, the children settled.
4 years and 10 months…we have waited this long to be here. This was it. The final step, the last event, the only thing seperating us from being fully united as a family. And, we were here. I started to sense the wave of relief rising behind me. Forcing steady, slow breaths and whispering praises, we clung to each other whenever a moment allowed.
6 Replies to “4 years, 10 months, 17 days…Done”
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How truly, truly touching…the tears are just streaming down my cheeks. Even though these children were always your’s in your heart – to hear it formalized – put down on paper like a birth certificate we receive at birth, is a surreal experience and to have all your children present – is truly a God moment.
Bless you and your family!!
Oh my word. This is beautiful. I’ve never been involved in a local formalization of an adoption before. The peek in is so precious. Thank you for sharing it. Love it.
Beautiful! Love that last line: “…we sing out from the grace we are bathed in…”
Wonderful memories brought back by your story. It is always amazing!
Thank you for writing it so well–love the idea of having a professional photographer there!
Ann
I *love* this! The photos tell such a beautiful story and had me in tears. We were recently presented with a situation for an out-of-state placement and our case worker told us we’d have the opportunity to finalize through the mail in the other state rather than jumping through some of the new adoption laws in ours. My husband and I both looked at each other and said, “We don’t think we want to do that.” There’s amazing weight and a beautiful finality of being in the courtroom before the judge and surrounded by our family and friends. Your photos remind me of that – and as Ann said – what a great idea to have it professionally photographed. Of course you want that well remembered! Blessings to your family!
This was just pure joy to read. It felt like i was going through it with you– so cool and so full of joy and the goodness of God. Thank you!!