June 08, 2008

Adoption Day

Monday was the anniversary of Puppy's adoption day (the day the adoption was finalized). We've marked it each year so far. Not a lot of hoopla, just whatever family is around coming over (this year, my parents) and Puppy getting to choose what we eat for dinner (steak and strawberries).

I know there is a wide range of opinions on marking adoption day in any way. Which is fine; if all of us handled adoption in the same way it would be rather strange and Stepford-like. I get why others don't and I like that we do. It's a day for us to say--in a way that communicates to a toddler--that we're happy to be an adoptive family. I hold our celebration lightly; if Puppy grows older and says, "This day is hard for me," we'd honor that. But the memory will always be a pleasant one for me.

I loved T as much the day before our wedding as I did the day after. But there was still something significant for me in publicly declaring our commitment. The court day was similar for me. The finalization only made legal what was already true in our hearts, that we were committed to being Puppy's parents in every way and that we had become a family in the nearly eight months leading up to that day. But it was still moving to be able to say those words aloud in court. I like remembering that day, in the same way I like remembering our wedding anniversary.

For your amusement, this is how a two-year old describes his adoption day:
Mommy and Daddy and Puppy went to the judge! We said, "Hey, we're a family!" And the judge said, "You're a family!"
(Stories involve many exclamation points when you're two.) Watching Puppy down his strawberries while he told that story, I was immensely grateful for how things turned out. It didn't have to be this boy with these parents. But I'm so very glad he's here.

12 comments:

Andromeda Jazmon said...

Thanks for sharing this sweetness with us. Happy memories!

Anonymous said...

Happy anniversary to Puppy and you...

We handle the day in a very similar way. Pretty low-key, but recognized. Girly tells that part of her story pretty much the same way. "The judge said I'm your daughter and to take me home and take care of me forever."

Dawn said...

Happy celebration day! (Mmmm, strawberries!)

Anonymous said...

i love how you described this, it sounds like a great celebration. i don't even know what our finalization day is, which maybe is kind of weird. happy anniversary day to you all!

Ariella said...

I love the way P recounts what Monday means to all of you. I understand the debate about the day but think everyone has to do what is right for thier family. And steak and strawberries sound really good to me to, good choice little guy!

Sharon LaMothe said...

Happy Sunday from a NCLMer....I loved reading your blog...my father was adopted and you are so right that adoption affects so many others then just the birth mother...having said that: Happy Adoption Day, P!! I like to use a lot of exclamation points too!!!! Congrats to your newest little one too! I went to see the pics but I couldn't...

Hugs to you all!!
Sharon

Sunny said...

Happy Adoption Day! I love the way you look at it, and the comparison to your wedding day. Puppy is a very lucky little boy to have you.

Via NaComLeavMo

susan said...

Sounds a lot like what we do at our house for adoption day (which we sometimes call family day, and sometimes call nothing in particular even while we talk about the anniversary over dinner). Happy memories to all of you.

JJandFive said...

So sweet : )

anymommy said...

Happy Adoption Day! I like your tradition too. We celebrate homecoming day in much the same quiet way. I try to tell the story of the day too, like I do with my son on his birthday. Thanks for sharing how you celebrate, we didn't celebrate our court day last year, but maybe this year we will. I like family traditions and it would be another story for my daughter!

Minnie said...

I'm new to your blog and LOVE it.

Your honesty about your experiences make it a bit less frightening to consider.

Thank you.

Momo Fali said...

Hey, my stories have a lot of exclamation marks and I'm 37!

Congratulations to all of you! I hope you have many more wonderful anniversaries.

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