It made my husband and me very happy and hopeful when we chose to adopt a child. No one told us that our trip would have so many twists and turns that would change our lives forever.
Bobby is five years old and shrugs and is quiet. We met him at a foster home. Even though he was quiet, there was something about him that made us want to be around him. We were sure that we would give him a good home and help him get over what happened.
We were gentle and understanding with Bobby as he joined our family because we knew he needed time to get used to it. We showed him lots of love, care, and attention because we wanted him to open up and tell us what was on his mind.
Months went by, and Bobby didn’t say a word. He just looked around with big, serious eyes. We didn’t force him to talk because we knew he needed time to settle in and feel safe.
After that, on his sixth birthday, a miracle took place. After we sang “Happy Birthday” and blew out the candles, Bobby said, “My parents are still alive.”
We didn’t know what to do next because we were shocked. Bobby’s words made a lot of people think and feel. How did he understand this? What if his parents were still alive? Why did they leave him?
As we looked for answers, we found something shocking. Bobby’s parents, who were rich and powerful, had left him because he was sick when he was born. They paid the care home to keep the truth from Bobby, who thought his parents were dead.
We were sad and mad, but we knew we had to be strong for Bobby. He was clear that he wanted to meet his real parents, and we worked hard to make sure he understood the truth.
We were nervous when we set up a meeting with Bobby’s parents. As we stood outside of their huge house, Bobby’s eyes were filled with fear and joy.
The meeting was awkward and tense, and Bobby’s parents had a hard time explaining what they had done. But Bobby was brave and honest when he asked them if they had ever loved him and why they had left him.
Their answers were weak and hurtful, but Bobby’s was very powerful. I am his adopted parent, and he told us, “I don’t want to go with them.” “I want to be with you and Dad.”
We knew right then that we were Bobby’s real family. He picked us, and we picked him. We had a strong bond and knew we would always be there for him to love and support him.
Bobby looked up at us with tears in his eyes as we left the house and walked back to our car. “Thank you, Mommy and Daddy,” he said, shaking his head. “I’m so glad I have you.”
We gave him a tight hug because we knew he had given us a valuable gift. We learned from Bobby that family isn’t just about blood; it’s also about love, acceptance, and freedom. We were glad to have him as a son.
