Waiting Our Turn

We had finally made it.  The finish line was so clearly in sight.  Nothing could stop us now.  We just had to wait our turn.  On a cold January morning in 2009 we sat in the waiting hallway outside the courtroom at the family courthouse. We alternated between sitting, standing and pacing.  We participated in small talk and jokes in an attempt to ignore the butterflies in our stomachs, our shaking legs and sweaty palms.  Nick and I were nervous and anxious, it was almost over.  I walked Dominick up and down the long hallway.  We looked at the black and white portraits of historic Sacramento on the wall.  He thought it was neat that he was missing school and wanted to know where we were going once we were down here.  I must have looked at my phone to find out the time a couple dozen times.  Where was our lawyer?  Where was our family for support?  I realized the three of us had just shown up too early, everyone would arrive soon, there was plenty of time.  Finally the clerk opened the courtroom doors and we all filed in.  Nick, Dominick and I picked a front row aisle so we could talk with our lawyer.  Our friends and family took up another 2-3 rows.  It was great to know we would be sharing this awesome moment with so many people who loved us and cared about us.  We sat patiently as the judge came in, we stood when we were suppose to and we sat when we were suppose to.  We listened as other people's names were called and we listened as the judge ruled on their cases.  After each case I would say a little prayer to God, asking for strength and comfort.  Finally, it was our turn, we had waited long enough. The three of us stood up and walked up to the table in front of the judge, we swore to tell the truth, sat down and waited.  Dominick, so handsome, sitting right between Nick and I.  The judge asked us questions, we answered, our lawyer talked.  Our legs shaking, palms still sweating and our arms around Dominick.  And then it happened, the judge ruled...."Adoption granted."  Two little words that have a significance that I could never explain.  After what seemed like years of paperwork, courtdates, meetings, tears, frustration, anger and prayers it was finally done.  While Nick and I never needed a judge to validate or legitimize our love for our son and our relationship with him, knowing that nobody could ever challenge that relationship gives a sense of comfort you wouldn't believe.  There were hugs and kisses to be shared by everyone.  We took pictures with the judge.  We thanked our lawyer, filed our papers and then we all set off for Chuck E. Cheese.  Now Dominick was excited!