Just over a week to go to start our Homestudy. I’m actually really excited. Initially I think everyone has some reservations or worry about the Homestudy component of the adoption process. It involves a series of meetings with a social worker to explore everything from your relationship as a couple, support systems you have in place and simply whether or not you are equipped, suitable and ready to become a parent to a child.
Leading up to our Homestudy we had a number of questionnaires to complete, and had to finish writing our Dear Birthmom letter and four pages of photos that depict who we are and our life. I think out of the entire process, the Dear Birthmom letters and photos were the most difficult. I must have rewritten the letter and reread it about 700 times. Too clinical? Too boring? Too much like a resume? Too funny? These were all things I asked myself as I was writing. I finally decided to just talk. Throw ourselves on the page.
If we keep on trend in the process, we should begin to be presented to birthmoms by the beginning of September. Then the waiting begins. The most common question that I am asked about this process is “how long will it take?”. The short answer is “who knows?”.. it can be a matter of weeks or it can be years. It is all about the match and being selected by a birthmother.
Lately I have been running in preparation for a half marathon at the end of the month. It is taking motivation, pushing through the discomfort and the finding the will to keep going even when it is raining or you just want to quit. I see this being a parable of our adoption journey. It is about the long-term goals.
It requires stamina, determination and when it rains or you just want to quit.. you have to dig deep and push through. In the end you will find the finish line.