No one can forget the day their adoption is final. Valerie shared this memory:

Upon leaving the courthouse I noticed that my daughter was intensely reading her adoption papers as if at age 7 she would be able to understand and comprehend every word. She was looking to make sure there were no mistakes!

I put my arm around her and said, “It’s final, you are legally and forever our daughter! So, what would you like to do now?”

She looked at me, smiled and boldly stated, “Dance! I want to dance!”

So with that request, we drove home, ordered Chinese food, turned on the stereo (quite loud, I may add) and danced, danced, danced!!!

Valerie works as an Adoptive Parent Liaison at Lilliput Children’s Services in California.