This post was published on the now-closed HuffPost Contributor platform. Contributors control their own work and posted freely to our site. If you need to flag this entry as abusive, send us an email.
To my daughters on the day of your adoption,
I’ve called you by that label, that sacred name, “daughter,” many times. But today is different.
Today there’s no prefix, no subtext, no “sort of but not really” as there has always been before. You’re not my foster daughter, and I don’t love you “like you’re my own.” Today you are wholly, completely, for forever my daughter.
You were dropped off at our home, dropped into our family, and we chose to love you like a daughter. We chose it even before we had the chance to fall in love with you. But the falling happened. After bursting into our family, you eased into our lives and hearts. The formalities of our state-regulated, court-appointed, “temporary” relationship faded away. We dropped the “foster” from your title, and you simply became “daughter.”
Advertisement
When I birthed your brother and sister, becoming a mother and loving them as a mother loves completely shocked me. One moment they weren’t here, and the next I loved them more than life. Today isn’t like that.
Advertisement
Today reminds me more of when I married your daddy. I met him. Then I fell in love with him, knew I would spend the rest of my life with him. And then came the day to make it official. Papers were signed, names were changed, ceremonies were had, but I didn’t love him any more than I had the day before. He was the same. I was the same. Nothing had changed. But everything had. After that day, we belonged to each other, officially, forever.
Today is our day, my dear, when I take you as my daughter, when I vow to love you forever. Today is our day when nothing and when everything changes.
Advertisement
I believe that, as of today, our family is now complete. That the six of us will be at this “family” thing, just us, forever. As far as I can see, our growing family has finished growing. But maybe I’m wrong. Maybe others will join this little unit of ours. But, I know, I know, that no matter what, we are a family now. Forever.
This day, this adoption day, is one of the happiest days of my life. Today, I become your mother. Today, you become my daughter.
Happy Adoption Day, my dear daughters. I love you.
Love,
Mommy
Follow Jamie and her adventures in family & foster care at Foster the Family.
Advertisement
Support HuffPost
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you’ll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.