I’m writing this on the plane to Atlanta.  The last 10 days have been the most surreal of my life, I’ll try to recount them as best I can.  

To update the timeline:
5/16 finished home study
6/2 finished classes
6/16 matched
6/27 scheduled C section

Total time spent on adoption process= 6 months.  Must faster than the traditional route and I’ve maintained my pants size.

To rewind, I almost ruined it with my over planning.  Every blog or article I’ve read advises to not stop your life, to not wait around as it can take years.  So I signed up for summer courses, encouraged my dad to fly out to see my uncle, started barre teacher training and completely booked my summer.  Thinking of this, I sent an email (6/10) to my social worker that was along the lines of “Not like I’d be picked so soon, but I’ve packed my schedule til 8/20.”  The response was that my book has been sent out and they could say I wasn’t available.  I immediately said “I’m available!  Let it ride.  If I’m selected let’s go for it.”

On 6/16, just before taking my students to the science fair, I saw an email with a heading “Its a match”.  I barely read it as I got coverage for the science fair and ran out to call my family.  

The rest of the day and weekend were surreal.  I had limited info on the parents selecting me and was anxiously awaiting a phone call.  Much worse than waiting for any guy to call or text.  

I connected with the expectant mom on 6/20. While I want to withhold any identifying details to protect her privacy, I can say that she is absolutely incredible.  We talked for over an hour.  I with 100% of my being believe that this match was meant to be and not just because she compared me to Jennifer Garner in Juno.

In the days that followed we talked again on the phone and she shared ultra sound pics of “our” daughter.   She asked me to be in the delivery room, even though we never met.  In just a few days we’ve gotten to know each other and I feel 95% at ease with what’s the come.  

One day she expressed her sadness once a date was scheduled and my heart broke for her.  I’m still managing how to celebrate the most amazing moment of my life being in conjunction with the most crushing moment of someone else’s.  My sister helped by stating they made the decision to make an adoption plan first and then chose me to be a part of it.  While these moments are happening simultaneously I am not causing their saddest moment to happen, but they are just making my happiest moment possible.    

And here we go.  Welcome to Atlanta.