“You are so loved. Like no other.”
I woke up at 5am on Tuesday 19th. The alarm didn’t go off. I just knew I had somewhere important to be. I’d something really special to do for a friend. Before you read, whatever I type here will not do justice to this day and to the journey that has taken place so far for this family.
It’s just the most beautiful, real life story I know and I’ve already photographed this family here. When Janine asked me to come along and document the adoption, i felt very honoured. I know how important this day is to her, to them. Janine posted about it after that day and i have since seen how the walkers story has touched the hearts of many all over the world. I’m so happy that she has been able to reach so many and help others who are thinking about adoption. Their story is inspirational. I only hope that i’ve done the best i could for them on this day as they deserve the best. I’d never been in a courtroom before and the amount of officials telling me to put the camera away before we even got in there scared me ALOT. I got a special letter of permission which Andy had to keep pulling out. Janine tells me that Charlie thought the funniest thing about Adoption Day was how scared Paula was of the judge!
I remember that morning in Alexanders in Markethill when Janine told us she was getting her forever family. Not one but three children. Life was changing in a big way all at once. Our shock, our joy, our tears. Most of us get time to adjust, nine months to think about how life is going to change. Nine months to prepare, to know the time of arrival, when life is going to change forever. Janine had about five minutes on the side of the road on the way home from a wedding. And she didn’t adjust to one child at a time, she had three boys within the year. Plus 36 weddings.
I think she’s the bravest, strongest person i know. when everybody says it can’t be done, it kind of makes her more determined. And every time I meet with these boys I fall in love with them all over again. One year ago we all met at the beach for their first family photos. I can see how they’ve grown in that year. How they’ve bonded. I’ve never seen Janine and Andy so happy as I did that Tuesday in the courtroom when they finally made it official.
So I’ll show you some photographs and take you there, to that one special day when the Walkers became a family, officially with certificates to prove it. I really hope you can view the slideshow as it’s a special one.
I don’t like to call this a happy ending. I’d prefer to call it a happy beginning. Congratulations my friend on your forever family, and ever and EVER!
