It was November 2022, right after Thanksgiving. I remembered Papa had just picked up the Christmas tree and we had dropped off your older cousin back to his mama’s house. We made it home after all the Thanksgiving celebrations over the weekend. Then we got a phone call. You were on your way. We made the slow, rainy, and foggy trek back to Mimi and Papa’s house to figure out what our next step was gonna be.
After a night of deciding what to do we had to be up early to catch our flight. Me and Mimi were going to come to welcome you home. We flew from Portland, ME to Phoenix, AZ, and landed in Sacramento, CA. As soon as we landed and got to our hotel it was nonstop.
Your Mimi, with her background in law, got answers. I basically kept her company while she did all the talking. But she would remind me that she was there supporting me. I was going to be the “legal guardian,” the parent. I couldn’t wrap my head around it. I didn’t even know the bare minimum information. Were you and your birth mom safe? Are you 2 healthy? Are you 2 being taken care of? Where were you 2?
Me and your Mimi did all we could. We rode Uber’s all over Sacramento to find answers and cover our bases. There were still COVID restrictions, which added to a lot of the red tape we faced. Never mind the legalities California law enforcement didn’t observe throughout the process. Days had passed. We did things to pass the time, like going to the zoo, driving down to San Fransisco. But eventually I was just exhausted.
It was December. Mama was back in Maine, still pregnant with your sister and I prayed that she would wait till we were all back home before she would come into the world. My birthday was coming up and it all was just overwhelming. I needed a day to reset, I spent it in bed.
Your Mimi, despite everything, wanted me to enjoy my birthday, so she had the next day planned out for us. Instead, I remember being outside the hospital, my heart pounding, and my stomach in knots. Phone call, after phone call, we anticipated and hoped that it wasn’t a fluke. Then it all happened so fast. On December 7th, 2022, I finally met you.
There you were, healthy and real! You looked so brand new, and fragile. I was afraid to hold you. The nurses were so kind, they had me sit down, and set pillows in my lap so that I felt comfortable as they placed you in my arms. I was so relieved, so happy. The tears actually took me by complete surprise as I held you for the first time and tried to take in every little detail of your little face.
I am so blessed. You were safe and healthy. Your birth mom was safe and healthy. How could I have even imagined a more beautiful birthday? This baby boy made me into a parent.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there.
Hi Moments 