Thursday, May 7, 2009

Adoption Day? What's That?

In my last post, I wished my daughters a Happy Adoption Day. Here is how that began:

When I met the future Lady Nottaguy-TYG, she was a single mom in college. She had two small children,both girls,, ages three and 18 months. By the time we got married, they were 4 1/2 and three.

We decided that I would adopt the girls as soon as the court would let us. We had to wait a year after we were married to even approach the court. We then had to notify their father, file legal briefs, and set court dates. By the time we had jumped through all the hoops, we had a court date of May 5th, 1986.

The judge warned me that if anything was to happen to our marriage, I would have to pay child support for the girls. He gave me every opportunity to back out. We proceeded on. When we got the girls new birth certificates, they stated"Father's age at birth": On one it said 16, the other, 18.

When the girls were in school, we would send them flowers to them at school on Adoption Day. Usually this was the happy face mum. Their classmates thought it was cool that they got flowers at school. I think they liked it too.

I still get them a card and a small gift to celebrate. I asked them a couple years ago if they thought that they were too old to continue the Adoption Day celebration. They told me that they were never too old, plus they liked getting gifts (who doesn't).

I've told them that I was lucky, because I got to pick who my children would be. I think I pick a couple of good ones. They've grown to be fine, godly ladies.

2 comments:

Liz said...

Tuesday was a rough day for me - there was a knock on the door, and I thought "Yay! my flowers from Dad!" But no, it was a little crumb snatcher wanting money for school. I had a little pouty lip for a minute after she left :)

Adoption Day is the second best day of my year - my first being my anniversary.

Code Yellow Mom said...

I remember reading about your adoption day some time ago on Mrs Lemon's blog...it is such a sweet thing, and a wonderful tradition. You should always celebrate it.

And bless you for being willing to be a dad - it's not just about child support, it's about dedication and love and guidance and strength. No child should be without one. And your girls are lucky to have landed a good one. :)