OUR ADOPTION JOURNEY, PART 1
Our Why…
Adoption. To me, this word comes with all sorts of opinions, all different emotions. It runs the gamut from questioning looks of “why would you do that,” to sympathetic glances of “oh poor you” — both of which make my heart ache and blood boil.. But let me back up a bit and start at the beginning…
My journey as an adopted mom started when I was a teenager. Having a significant medical history, which I will spare you all from reading, I was told at the ripe young age of 13 that I would not be able to carry my own children. As an “in the moment” teenager, I basically thought nothing of it. When I was a little older, I thought it was a blessing — no worries about unplanned pregnancies, no monthly visitors to interfere with the fun I was having. Not a care in the world.
That said, I knew I always wanted children. I knew that I would be an adoptive mom. Ask my husband or parents, children have always been drawn to me. On my second date with Tom, we were sitting along the Esplanade here in Boston chatting away. With every child that went by on a bike, stroller or walking, they would look at me, say hello and often stare as their parents, blissfully unaware, would keep on their path. After the 5th or 10th stare, the inevitable question came, but honestly I have no idea why kids are so drawn to me. But anyway, I digress…
I met Tom in 2003, married in 2006. We were scared, nervous and excited. Anxious, to start the process of an unknown length. Birth mothers have 40 weeks to prepare, how long would we have? We called a few local adoption agencies, took classes, met social workers, opened our lives up to the world to know. It was scary and sometimes completely overwhelming, but we knew that becoming parents was worth it all.
With open hearts, we chose an adoption agency and started our process to becoming the parents to two incredible boys…
Stay tuned for more in this 4 part series!
