Adoption Day – After over a year of waiting with many fits and starts, it was finally time for adoption day.  I explained to Precious Boy that we would go to court and see a judge who would make it so we could be a family.  PB said he didn’t want to go to court and be in front of a lot of people.  He was only convinced by the idea that we could have the same last name.  He was tickled by the idea that everyone in our family has the same last name.  He laughed and giggled at the thought.

On our adoption day, we were off to the courthouse bright and early.  After wandering the halls, we finally made our way to the correct courtroom.  Soon the courtroom was full of our family members and friends who came to celebrate.  A friend remembers asking Precious Boy if he knew the people in the room. He said “I see my uncle, my Grandpa, but I don’t know those other people.”

Precious Boy looked so small sitting with the judge at the front of the courtroom.  The judge gave him a bear.  When the judge asked how he was, I remember him clutching the bear and answering “good” in a soft voice.  😊 The judge spoke and I can’t even say I remember a word that was said.  

PB made it official by banging the gavel.  As we took photos, I started to sing We Are Family.  PB told me sternly “don’t sing in court”.  (I was still beaming despite getting the PB death glare.)  We proudly held our heart sign as we left the courthouse for a celebration lunch.  (I had noticed many adoption days photos show children holding signs saying the number of days they waited to be adopted.  A friend had convinced me to make a heart sign instead.  I think it was the right choice instead of a mug shot.)            

Judging by the photos that day, it looked like we had a great time celebrating.  A few years later, I read about how children may actually feel sad during days like Adoption Day or Welcome Days.  Adoptive families may be excited to celebrate, but a person who was adopted may feel sad and heartache.   At the time I remember asking PB about it about 3 years later. He said he was sad.  I felt terrible.  Recently I asked him and he said that he was just confused. Maybe he had all of those feelings and may continue to.

Bea Hopewell

© 2026 Black Moms Adopt. All rights reserved.