Today Was a Really Amazing Day

It was very emotional ceremony, as special as you could make one of these types of ceremonies, and one that I'd guess that the in-laws thought was pretty perfect.

The courtroom was filled with family and friends. Many of Baby A's bio family except for the birth mom, our MIL and us from their family, and a few of their close friends were there. (Noticeably absent was the other BIL and wife, but I truly believe it is their loss to have missed this experience.)

The judge said a few words, thanked us for coming, and gave the in-laws the adoption decree. He told them to read it before signing, but added that they could read it aloud or to themselves. BIL said this was something we'd all been waiting for and he'd read it to all of us. When BIL started to read, he started sobbing and had to stop. He handed it to SIL to read. She got a few words in and had to stop, too. They continued to hand the paper back and forth, each reading a few words before stopping to wipe away their tears. By the time they were finished, I don't think there was a dry eye in the place, including the judge's.

Tears of happiness are so wonderful!

They are now an official family.

I stood to the side, taking pictures. I watched their faces while I snapped. I wish you could have seen their overwhelming joy. It was clear that this was something for which they had been waiting a lifetime. Afterward, I think SIL was literally floating out of that courthouse. Her elation made me all the more teary. BIL held his baby girl proudly on his arm. Both of them were beaming.

Oh man I am so, so happy for them.

There have been other times when I've been fortunate enough to witness that joy, but I have to admit that seeing this type of emotion isn't as common as I'd expect. Sure I've seen plenty of happiness, but this was something different.

This was more.

It was a couple who had been matched, through a series of incredible circumstances, with a baby even though they were no longer actively looking.

It was a couple who had truly given up on this ever happening, who had resigned themselves to never being able to have a child of their own.

Today, because an amazing blessing of fate, I literally witnessed a dream come true.