Yesterday we celebrated the legalization of our adoption of Jon and Nick. What a day! Family and friends drove up from Chatham to join us in court as a tear filled judge officiated, happy to celebrate a joyous event in Family Court.

She spoke if how much it pleased her to sign these forms and make the change that happened over a year ago in our heart legal. Emotion choked her up. As her voice caught in her throat my tears fell.

She read Jon’s birth name and legally changed it to Jonathan David Ray Weeks. She read Nick’s birth name and legally changed it to Nicholas Kevin Weeks. I cried some more.

Our group of 17 filled the small court room and celebrated the short (very short!) ceremony with hugs, tears, and pictures.

I didn’t expect to feel any different because in reality, these boys joined our family a year ago. But last night, after the last guest drove away, we cuddled together on the couch and watched a Christmas cartoon. Jon snuggled in close to dad. Kate and Nick curled up with me.

It felt nice.

It felt right.

It felt like the beginning of forever.