He ours! He’s ours! He is finally our son OFFICIALLY! We made it. We finally made it to adoption.
It took us four years. Four long years. Four years ago we met a 16-year-old that was labeled as “troubled teen.” Three years since the first time he asked to be adopted. Two-and-a-half years since he walked out and then walked back in again. Two years since he walked out for good, before we could finalize that adoption. One year since he started coming back for weekend visits.
The night before the adoption I was still wondering if he would go through with it. Six months was the closest we had ever gotten to finalization in the past. I wanted to be happy. I wanted to be overjoyed. But instead I was apprehensive. Would he back out? Would he have second thoughts?
It wasn’t until the judge pronounced us a family that I breathed a sigh of relief. That’s when the joy hit. I am not at all embarrassed to admit that I cried the whole time. He has our last name. It cannot be a happy ending because our story isn’t over. He may still pull back at times. But we have made it this far. Whatever happens after this, he has our name.
Our newest “baby” is 20. We finally made it to the finish line. He’s ours.
**Names have been changed to protect the privacy of those involved.
About the Author: This blog was originally published on Herding Chickens. In her blog, this foster care adoption mother writes about her experience adopting a sibling group from foster care. She originally let us republish her blog about when her son started visiting again last year. You can also read about when he asked to be adopted on her blog.
