We were 2 guys scared out of our wits in the backwaters of Arizona.
We operated 100% on blind faith.
We were so scared that we didn’t even consider we might encounter prejudice because we were gay and going to adopt a baby.
We spent all day getting to the hospital that your birth mom, our angel, was at.
We met her for the first time the night before you were born, praying she would follow through and let us have you as our own.
The next morning I suited up in scrubs and followed her into the operating room. I caressed her hair to keep her calm as they cut her belly open. As soon as they removed you they put her to sleep and I was able to look at my beautiful son for the first time. My very first feeling was one of recognition, that we were together again. Then I cried for 1 hour straight.
They let me cut the umbilical cord and take our first picture together.
I went out to your other dad, daddy Peter, and could not speak. I gave him a thumbs up and we hugged and we cried together.
We spent several hours preparing to take care of you on our own, buying a bassinet and diapers and a way to feed you! We arrived back at the hospital to peek in at you in the incubation room. A nurse was holding you. She had no idea who we were. She was calling you Peter. She said you seemed like a Peter. That was not a name common to that part of the country, but that was your soon to be new dad’s name. I smiled, I knew God was saying hello, and telling us it would be OK. I had no doubt the papers would be signed and you would be coming home with us.
The hospital treated us like your parents from the minute that you were born mostly because your birth mom made it clear to them that we were adopting you. On their own, they also could not have been nicer. In fact, I think because we were 2 goofy guys, they treated us even better than if we were a straight couple! Thank goodness, because at that moment we first learned what to do with a diaper!
We were given a baby class unexpectedly from a wonderful nurse who nicknamed you “No Neck Nunzio.” We told her your middle name would come from your Italian grandfather, Nunzio. She was so wonderful, that for your first birthday, we made a donation to that hospital to honor her and everyone that helped us through those first few days. I have a picture showing her holding a brick with your name on it that sits in a pyramid in front of the hospital where you were born. The entire staff treated us like gold, and scared as we were, that was a huge help and we will be forever grateful.
9 years and many roller coaster rides of emotions later, you are celebrating yet another birthday. You are perfect, I could not have imagined God having given us any other child, you are a perfect fit in our family. I will forever thank the angel from Arizona, your birth mom, who knew we were to be together!
We love you son!
And now I’m crying…That was beautiful! Happy bday to your kiddo!
Hi Mitch. I love your family story and have read it before. I had Nico read it, since he clearly remembers his friend. After reading it, he turned to me and said, “he didn’t have a neck?” LOL
Happy birthday Paul!
Zoe and I are crying too! Amazing story
Aw Mitch! So sweet. Happy Birthday P!
Happy Birthday! What a great memory!
What a Wonderful story with a Beautiful Baby Boy as the result..Happy 9th Birthday !! I enjoyed seeing you with your Nerf gun and your Sushi dinner!!
That was beautiful. Happy 9th Birthday 🙂
That was beautiful. I hope he knows how lucky he is to have such wonderful parents.
I have goosebumps on my arms…that was the post beautiful post I have ever read.
Happy Birthday to your sweet son! 🙂
Great post, it is so awesome that there are great open minded birth moms out there, especially 9 years ago. She really is an angel. Best wishes to your family.
Thank you for sharing. What a lovely story. Happy Birthday to your son!
A very happy birthday to your son. What beautiful memories you have. The birth mother truly was an angel. It is a blessing there are so many options today so every couple can have the family they want. Very touching!
Just lovely. Congratulations.
<3 Such a lovely adoption story
Thanks so much for participating in Blogging for LGBT Families Day! My son is turning nine this year, too, so your post really hit a chord with me.
Congrats on the adoption 9 years ago, and congrats on living out your dream as a parent!
Such a sweet story. Congratulations to you, I hope you enjoy many many more years together as a family!
What a beautiful story. Birthdays mean so much more when you’re a parent, don’t you think? 🙂
This was such a wonderful story!! Happy Late, Late, Late Birthday to your son!! I wish you many more roller coasters of Good emotions!! As I read your story, I was teary eyed until the diaper part, I think I would have loved to see ya’ll try to do the whole diaper thing, that had me cracking me up!
Thanks for sharing a part of you!
Jenni