Oath at the American Consulate

Today we went to the American Consulate, with about 70 other families, to take our oath. This enabled Maggie to get her visa to travel to the U.S. and was the very LAST step in the adoption process. She will now become an American citizen as soon as we go though immigration in the Los Angeles Airport.

I think we were caught a bit off guard about what a moving experience this would be. More than once we could feel the tears welling up. Riding on one of three buses that were a caravan over to the Consulate, you could look around and see all of the other families who had endured so much for so long to adopt their precious child. It was an amazing sight. As we took the oath (choking up as we held back the tears), it signified the end of a ten-year long journey to create our family. We hugged and kissed each other as we reflected upon the moment. Through her body language and expression it became obvious that Maggie seemed to have some idea that this was a significant moment too. Maybe she sensed it from us, but it was almost like she relaxed into a wet noodle and let go. I think she is emotionally spent and is fast asleep.




After we arrived back to the hotel











At the park on the way to dinner
















Celebration dinner at a really nice Italian restaurant















We have been receiving more and more unsolicited hugs and kisses from Maggie. She seems so happy to recognize us as her family and is interacting with us pretty much like you would expect a two-year-old with a very strong personality to. It has been so wonderful to see her become more and more secure and comfortable with us as the days pass by.