It's Official

Adopting T-Mobile has been one of the greatest experiences of my life, but making it legal and official yesterday was one of my proudest moments. Proud of T and how brave he is. Coming to a new country, learning a new language and culture, and joining our family is tough stuff and he's been a smiley little trooper the whole time. Standing before the judge yesterday was the culmination of 2.5 years of education, patience, dedication and pure love. And, it felt really good.

I could not have beamed any more brightly as we entered the courthouse, all of us sporting our happiest summer clothes, with T-Mobile waving and saying "hi" to everyone along the way. All the people working in the courthouse, who previously had been short but professional with me, now spoke words of congratulations as we walked down the halls. They pointed us to our courtroom waiting area: Juvenile Court.

We stepped into the waiting area about 15 minutes before our assigned time and saw 2 teenagers, slumped down in their seats, donning T-shirts, sneakers and jeans that allowed for display of their underpants. T-Mobile walked right up to each of them, holding his monkey blanket, smiled his happy smile (the one that makes my heart smile too) and said "hi!". They both grinned and said "hi!" back, one asking about the Winnie the Pooh book he was also hauling around. T-Mobile giggled with shyness, turned around and ran to Fabulous Husband for a big hug, sneaking glances back at his new friends.

The courtroom personnel and Sheriff's deputy couldn't have been nicer as they took our information and ushered us into the "on deck" waiting area and then into the courtroom. We were prepared with an official script to follow complete with legal terminology and official sounding sentences, but the judge, smiling ear to ear, simply talked with us, asked us a few yes/no questions and made it official: T-Mobile is now officially, legally, for real our son and a US Citizen. He took our pictures in the courtroom in his 2 favorite spots (the one by the flags and another in his high-backed cushy chair). He invited T-Mobile to choose a stuffed animal out of the big toybox. He selected the monkey, of course.

As we walked out, past about 50 people who were there for a whole variety of mostly unhappy reasons, smiled and wished us well. So many had looked so sad...it was nice to see them smile. T-Mobile can brighten even your worst day.

Our journey...T-Mobile's journey is still just beginning. I feel so lucky to have had our family matched with such a handsome, sweet, bright, little man with a big heart. It's like he fit all along, even when all we had was the idea of him.

I love you, T-Mobile, the way only your mom can. Officially, welcome home!