Yesterday, I stood in front of a judge with my husband, daughter and our lawyer.
We were called up early as it was an uncontested case...you see...she's 42 years old now.
I raised her since she was 5 years old. Never thought; or even heard of a woman having to adopt the child of a man she was married to.
Always thought adoptions were done by men who married women with children...for the last name, inheritances, etc.
My husband approached me just a week ago and told me that we need to do this...we've been married almost 37 years.
We were about the 5th case that the judge called forward in the Family Court.
Every one that we sat back and heard before we were called forward were divorce/ child custody/etc.
The judge smiled HUGELY as we all stepped up before him when we were called. I wish I could remember all his words. but he blessed us for loving, staying together and even seeking bonds after all these years.
Nicest judge. Our lawyer reminded us as we were all leaving the courthouse that we were the "sweet spot" for this judge. His day is full of relationships/marriages breaking up...you get it.
We all went out for a steak dinner right afterward.
I know..this is going way too long now. But...on our way to the Steakhouse, my daughter asked me WHY I never had adopted her earlier. I told her that I didn't think I had to as I was married to her father and we had total custody of her.
That's when they both informed me that if her father (my husband) died, her bio mother could have sued and gotten custody of her. OMFG!
I NEVER in my life imagined that scenario....
SO....any women who are in this situation; please take care and adopt the kids you love and think are safe with you.
Oh yeah...so I haven't yet offered up WHY I'm adopting her now, as she is an adult. That's another story that perhaps some day I may share with you all.
We were called up early as it was an uncontested case...you see...she's 42 years old now.
I raised her since she was 5 years old. Never thought; or even heard of a woman having to adopt the child of a man she was married to.
Always thought adoptions were done by men who married women with children...for the last name, inheritances, etc.
My husband approached me just a week ago and told me that we need to do this...we've been married almost 37 years.
We were about the 5th case that the judge called forward in the Family Court.
Every one that we sat back and heard before we were called forward were divorce/ child custody/etc.
The judge smiled HUGELY as we all stepped up before him when we were called. I wish I could remember all his words. but he blessed us for loving, staying together and even seeking bonds after all these years.
Nicest judge. Our lawyer reminded us as we were all leaving the courthouse that we were the "sweet spot" for this judge. His day is full of relationships/marriages breaking up...you get it.
We all went out for a steak dinner right afterward.
I know..this is going way too long now. But...on our way to the Steakhouse, my daughter asked me WHY I never had adopted her earlier. I told her that I didn't think I had to as I was married to her father and we had total custody of her.
That's when they both informed me that if her father (my husband) died, her bio mother could have sued and gotten custody of her. OMFG!
I NEVER in my life imagined that scenario....
SO....any women who are in this situation; please take care and adopt the kids you love and think are safe with you.
Oh yeah...so I haven't yet offered up WHY I'm adopting her now, as she is an adult. That's another story that perhaps some day I may share with you all.
