We were the last ones on the roll, and we waited outside for all the drama to happen inside. And we chatted – I got to catch up with Adriana, who came there just in case we needed a witness. But we didn’t. She waited an hour with us.
In front of us there were families who lost custody due to crime or alcohol. The police brought a father in handcuffs who, at the end of his hearing hugged his 6 children and the little one was in tears. He seemed heartbroken.
As we got in they knew everything about our case as we already submitted the paperwork with plenty of information. We just had to declare in front of them our intentions and petition to have conrad adopt the girls. The judge talked with both Jackie and Ivy and they were bright eyed and respectful and answered all their questions. Though they didn’t have to interview Ivy the judge had her come up and answer some questions. Ivy said she loved it. She loved being included in the process. Jackie had to write a declaration a week earlier agreeing to the adoption by their dad.
It was full of warmth and emotion. The judge was eager and friendly and in a way seeing us there was going full circle as probably she agreed to the adoption 8 years ago. Now seeing her fully grown must be a treat.
The atmosphere in our house is jolly. Conrad is so relieved. He dreamt last night that he had to give a speech in Romanian in front of the judge and he couldn’t find his words. But the judge did not let him switch to English.
We celebrated with friandise ice cream and got home just in time before it started raining cats and dogs.
Our windshield will be fixed next week but for now life is pretty sweet. Today we celebrate 18 years of marriage and conrad adopting our girls.