
Judge Hennigan was satisfied with our testimony and signed our adoption decree. From this day forward, Dong Joon is legally our son. This day comes exactly seven months from the day D.J. and I arrived in Dallas after a long journey from Seoul. Erek and I cannot believe we get to be parents to this magnificent little boy. It hasn't been an easy journey, but it is so worth it. Every day with D.J. is a new adventure!
I must say, though, that as much as we are overjoyed about today, our happiness is a little bittersweet. I know I am and will always be D.J.'s mother, but I must always remember that I have not been the only mother in his life. Today I not only celebrate the fact that we have been made a family, but I also have to remember what his birthmother lost when she chose adoption for this little boy. I wish I could tell her how wonderful D.J. is and how grateful we are to have him in our lives. We are also grateful to his foster mother who took such wonderful care of D.J. for seven months of his life. Because of the love and care she gave him, he has adjusted easily into our home and attached to us very quickly. Adoption does mean new beginnings, but I want to make sure that D.J. knows about his life before us and honors the two women that were his "ummas" before me.
Erek and I plan to always celebrate every June 8 as our Family Day. For the kids, today was very exciting, but it will be a while before they realize how significant it really was to our family. By the time we got back to the car, they were poking each other, fighting over toys, and laughing afterwards, just like brothers and sisters do. We wouldn't have it any other way.
