12/11/2024
WORLD ADOPTION DAY 2024
[Celebrated on November 9th, this day is a time to share stories, connect with others, and reflect on the adoption journey. It’s a day to celebrate the power of family and to spread awareness, love, and support.]
Adoption changed our life, and 12 years on we are still in awe of our story and our miracle son. For those of you who are new here, a short synopsis.
In 2012 we have already been through almost 10 years of fertility treatment (with 20 procedures) and was at the time listed at 3 adoption agencies ánd had a surrogate lined up. I used to call it our “bread on water” year. I recall vividly the whole day of 24 August 2012. It is the anniversary of the day Deon and I met way back in 1991. We were planning to do something to celebrate, but I felt SAD. Really just tired of hoping, believing and trusting. We so desperately dreamt of a baby, of being a family. Anyway. We popped into my parents when my phone rang at 17h15. The call that would change our life.
Long story short. We were chosen by a birthmother that morning (from a few protfolio options during her meeting with the Social worker), where she chose us and, low and behold, she went into labour that afternoon. We had to fly to Johannesburg immediately! We did not blink. Within minutes we were rushing home, packed a few things while booking tickets online and off we went. Just before getting onto the plane I phoned to say I will be switching off my phone and to check in if all was ok at the hospital. I was greeted by the words “Als het goed gegaan, hoor hoe huil julle seuntjie!”. O man. What a moment. What a feeling. The airline staff must have thought I am crazy, because as I got onto the plane I told everyone “I just became a mom!”.
We arrived at the hospital about 3.5 hours after Ben-Daniël was born, sleeping softly in the incubator due to the fact that he was born 4 weeks early at a tiny 2.4kg. Small, but feisty and absolutely perfect…...and the spitting image of Deon. Crazy. Amazing. Meant to be.
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