We then drove a short 20 minute drive to a sweet friends’ house that was so kind to let us stay for a few days while we had to remain in the city in which Ben was born. She was out of town for the weekend so we were able to get settled into being a family of three in a beautiful, cozy home.
I was loving every minute. I purposefully tried to soak up every second of every day. I didn’t want to miss a thing. Our sweet friend returned after the weekend and we were greatly blessed to spend a day catching up with her. It was such a great re-connection and I am so thankful that God used Ben to bring us closer together. I will cherish those precious days in her home sitting on her couch, talking about college days, and passing Ben around.
We had to stay in the city for the 5 day duration of the revocation period (the time in which T could change her mind about her decision to place Ben in an adopting family.) I didn’t dwell on it but every day at 10:46 I would mark the countdown. Just 4 more days, just 3 more days, just 2 more days…
When there was only one day left we traveled to a city a few hours away to be near the lawyers. I was supposed to sign a document that day that would start the ICPC paperwork process. ICPC stands for Interstate Compact of the Placement of Children. It is the paperwork that allows you to legally take an adopted child from his/her birth state into your home state. My consultant, C, told me that it could take anywhere from 10-14 days for the ICPC to process. This was the same news the lawyer gave. So, I was planning for a long stay.
On the final day of the 5 day revocation period I watched the clock and counted down as if it were New Year’s Eve. I was feeding Ben. I stopped around 10:40 and just watched the clock. At 10:46 I celebrated. The wait was over.
I felt like the wait was over the day we matched with the baby boy in Alabama. I felt like the wait was over when the nurses placed my son in my hands. But, I really felt like the wait was over when I looked at the clock and it was 10:46 on Tuesday February 19, our Gotcha Day. He was ours!!!!
In the midst of our celebration and thanking God over and over I began thinking of T. I wonder if she too was looking at the clock and waiting for 10:46. I wonder if while we wear crying tears of joy and thanksgiving if she was crying tears of grief and pain. I prayed to thank God for his provision and protection. I also prayed that He would give T a peace and a comfort that can only come from Him. That she would know that she made the right decision and that she would be at peace with it and be able to celebrate today too. I pray that for her every day.
February 19, Ben’s Gotcha Day. I plan to celebrate both his birthday and Gotcha day in the years ahead. I want him to know just how happy his mommy was at 10:46 that day for the rest of his life.
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