Monday, June 5, 2017
Nineteen years ago today, the Forts (plus Amy Miller, our baby sitter) gathered at the courthouse in Richmond to appear before the honorable Judge Jennings in order to finalize Lizzie's adoption. It was really interesting to hear the Judge explain the particulars.
- From that day forward, Lizzie would be a Fort.
- She would be equally entitled to all rights and privileges as any other heir to our estate.
- Her birth certificate would be changed to list Bill as her father and me as her mother.
After all the legalities were complete, we asked the Judge if we could take a picture with him. He laughed and said, "You know, it's not very common for people in my court to request a picture with me." How true.
One of my favorite pictures from that day is of Patrick holding little six-month-old Lizzie like a sack of potatoes. She was as content as she could've possibly been.
Every year since that day, we have celebrated Lizzie's adoption day on June 5. We wanted her to always know she was adopted so that it would never be a surprise for her. For the longest time, though, she thought EVERYBODY had an adoption day. That's pretty cute.
Today as we celebrate the addition of this precious child to our family, we recognize that with her our family is complete.
I have said it many times. It was as intended that Lizzie be our daughter as it was for Will and Patrick to be our sons. We are so blessed to have these three wonderful children!
Lord, thank you so much for this precious daughter you gave us nineteen years ago. Thank you for the tremendous love and sacrifice that her birth mother made in entrusting her to us. Bless her, Lord. And bless our baby girl.
No comments:
Post a Comment