I remember everything like it was yesterday.
I remember the first time the birth mother called us on the phone, as my friend was driving us to my parents house for Passover.
I remember the birth mom calling and saying she had seen some blood in her urine and why didn’t we get ready to fly out to Arizona.
I remember wondering what was happening as there was nothing on the schedule the next day at the hospital. So we hung out in the cafeteria!
I remember the first time I laid eyes on my son. My son. I knew he was my son.
I remember not being able to tell my spouse anything, I was crying so hard. I went to him in the waiting room and just gave him a thumbs up. We hugged and cried.
I remember how a nurse who did not know any of the story unfolding, was calling the baby Peter. For no reason. Peter is my husbands name. I knew Gd was saying hello, letting us know that everything would be OK.
I remember the Jewish circumcision with my parents present in the pediatricians office in Phoenix.
I remember driving for Chinese food every night for the four of us, it was “out of town” Chinese food, not what we were used to in NY!
I remember flying home with a connecting flight and changing poopy diapers in three airports!
I remember my father-in-law telling me my mother-in-law wanted to take the baby at night so we could sleep. They were living with us at the time. I resisted for a week. Then I realized new parents need to take the help they can get so that they can sleep!
I remember the digital camera the staff at work gave me at my baby shower, one of the single most useful presents I have ever received, perfect for us and our new son!
I remember the ritual Mikvah converting my son to Judaism.
I remember spending years in the elementary school playground bonding with the other parents and watching our children grow together.
I remember when my son became taller than me at 12 years old.
And then came Paul’s Bar Mitzvah, where he became a man in the eyes of our religion. He made us prouder than proud by performing like a star at the ceremony. The day was capped off by one of the best parties ever, that evening, with all our family and friends.
The full adoption story is below, so I always remember those details to be able to share with my son!
I love reading your adoption story,,when we adopted our foster daughter,,ill be honest i have never been around any people who were gay,,so i didnt ,know a lot,,but thru foster parenting in Vermont we met several couples,,and was asked to come to a cookout at a local couples house,,my first visit to a gay persons home,,theyhad adopted 2 boys,,,there were boys everywhere that felt so comfortable being at their friends house for the party,,and that house was so pretty and so clean i was amazed at the love i saw and how happy those boys were,,and i felt comfortable and at ease at the beginning ,it was a nice party and gave me such a good impression,,being raised in the deep south and now being up north where things were totally different,,i had never saw a woman minister before either ,,i left that home feeling like those boys were so lucky to have such loving parents and such a beautiful clean home,,im so glad that i found your blog and can read about raising your son and a happy marriage and all the cool people you get to meet,,you are one lucky man Mitch
Every year it gets nice to read ,brought a tear to my eye.
What a wonderful story! My husband and I do not have children yet, but when we’re ready we’ve talked about adoption. I’ve spent many years of my career working with children in foster care, and I’ve seen how important it is for these children to find a home where they are loved and cared for. I’ve also always wanted to adopt, since I was a teenager. Thank you for sharing your story!
Thank you for sharing your special memories. It is always so bittersweet to look back and remember these times are our children grow up. I love how you expressed that the first time you laid eyes on your son you knew he was your son.
I wish that everyone had parents like you. Thanks for telling your story. It totally made me cry in a good way.
And what a handsome young man he is!
I wish to adopt one day.
What a beautiful recap of what life really is all about! Love – especially for our children! This is so uplifting to read!