Adoption Day

by Fatherofeight | More from this Blogger

01 Dec 2006 12:51 PM

We had been fostering our children with the intent to adopt them for eighteen months. We had satisfied every requirement of the state adoption system. It was much harder than it should have been. It was finally time to go to court to finalize.

I am a retired lawyer and I know what a crowded courtroom can look like, but this was unbelievable. The week before had been Thanksgiving week, meaning that there were three days worth of matters before the juvenile court on this day. There were a number of nurses present to testify, which usually signifies that there was going to be testimony about injured children.

We had no idea when we would stand before the judge. We couldn't even get into the courtroom itself because it was so crowded. At nine o'clock, our lawyer showed up and said that she would ask the judge if our scheduled adoption could be heard first. A minute later, she reappeared and said," Let's go."

I forced open the door to the courtroom. People had to back up in order for the door to open. Immediately, a very large court bailiff jumped up and told me in a very harsh voice that I could not come in.

Our lawyer said," This is the adoption." The bailiff backed up and the sea of humanity parted. I led our little troop to the judge's bench. I thought that this must be what Moses felt like when the Red Sea parted in front of him and he led the people across.

The judge looked at our file for a few minutes, my wife and I answered a few simple questions. Without looking up, the judge said, "I have reviewed this file and find it to be in order. I will sign this Order Granting Adoption." The people in the courtroom began to applaud. Many of them stood up. I am weeping as I type. We posed for pictures with the judge. As we left, I almost bumped into an elderly gentleman. He said, "God bless you."

They really are our children, we have a birth certificate that lists us as the father and mother. We have natural children who are grown, but these children are truly supernatural.

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Jody Moreen (3274) 05 Dec 2006 03:27 PM

Ed,Thanks for sharing your lovely adoption story of your 5 precious sons! I can just envision you in the court room and the elation you felt when the judge approved of your file and announced that he would grant you the adoption- I know there was applause in heaven as well. WOW! As an adoptee I would love remember my adoption day in court- I was 9 mos old. Beautiful imagery- beautiful family! Jody

Melissa J (13710) 05 Dec 2006 07:39 PM

Welcome Ed! We're so glad to have you here!

Michelle Vandepas (579) 06 Dec 2006 07:53 AM

I cried an cried on a few days after our adoption day for our child. The actual day of I was in shell shock (in a good way) all day. After thirteen months of not knowing, we finally got the birth certificate declaring her ours.

Crickett (272) 06 Dec 2006 09:07 AM

After reading this story I hope to remind all parents of adopted children out there to write down THEIR story of Adoption Day, and of meeting their children for the first time. What a special and beautiful thing. I am actually one of Ed Paul's natural/adult children, so this story of my own brothers hits home in a really special way. Keep writing, Dad!

Linda Hansen (1796) 07 Dec 2006 08:45 PM

I remember well our day in court. I had to get on the stand and the kids' attorney kept asking questions. I would give her long, drawn out answers, because when I talk about my kids, I enjoy it!! The judge smiled and granted us permanent custody, as the bailiff guided me off the stand and out of the courtroom, I asked him if I sounded okay, he smiled and winked at me and said, You did great! What a marvelous day for us all! We celebrated with the boys, its a day we'll never forget. Artcraft

PATTI (580) 11 Dec 2006 11:36 AM

ED, THIS STORY TOUCHED MY HEART. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. PATTI