Although you've been a Vogt all along, today it all became official. We, along with both sets of grandparents and Aunt Beth, stood before a judge and promised to love and care for you and raise you as our daughter.
The people in the court system were wonderfully compassionate. The court clerk showered you with gifts (a teddy bear and a Sesame Street book), the judge ooh'd and aah'd over you, and the bailiff made sure that we waited for the finalization to happen until your poppa made it safely in the courthouse (he was running late from school and then got stopped by security for his fingernail clippers).
You seemed to know that everything was all for you, because you had no problem putting on a show and smiling for everyone in sight. You also took it upon yourself to perform your new trick: a sigh, followed by a smile and blowing raspberries.
After we'd played with the bear and taken a gazillion photos, it was time for the big event: the finalization. The judge let the grandparents and Aunt Beth go into the jury chamber, where they had a great vantage point for watching everything unfold. She stated for the record that the court accepted the FAXed copies of the adoption records and read the prepared documents from Bethany (my heart sunk when she read that your birth mom relinquished her rights on March 21st instead of the actual date of May 21st--when I reluctantly brought the correct date up, the judge assured me it was okay and made a notation on the file). She asked us some questions, we and we signed some papers, and then...our lives "officially" began as the Vogt family of three.
I tried desperately to hold it together and to keep from being a blumbering mess, but failed once I looked over and saw Nonni's eyes welling up and her eyes filling with happy tears. It dawned on me at that moment, Sammie Joy...that you are ours forever. Everyone should have the joy of being able to stand in front of an offical and, in the most beautiful and sacred rite of passage, become parents with the teaful vows we made to you today.
What happened today was more than just signing off papers and standing before a judge. It was the "official" start of our family. You've been our daughter all along, but from this point on--the 'maybes' and 'whatifs' can be put to rest--you're OURS.
Happy Family Day, little girl!
All my love and then some,
your mommy
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