The Adoption Anniversary Gift

by Shelley
(Davenport, IA, USA)

When I first met my future wife, she was a single mom struggling to raise a little girl on her own. We dated quite a while and, finally, I asked her to marry me. I was thrilled when she said yes. I had grown to love both her and her daughter very much.

Her daughter was from a previous abusive relationship. The girl's father was on drugs and had very little to do with his child. I had been raising her as my own daughter from the age of three.

Her mom often worried that if something were to happen to her, her daughter would have to go live with her ex's family. I decided to adopt her little girl.

Since there were legalities involved, I wasn't able to keep everything a complete suprise, but when the big day arrived (I tried to have it as close to our anniversary as possible), my parents came to the hearing. We had pictures taken with the judge, and afterwards we had a huge celebration party with friends and family. There were balloons, cake, and delicious food.

We purchased two matching rose bushes, one for me and one for my wife, to plant in our yard to symbolize the adoption and our anniversary.

Each spring when the rose bushes bloom, I remember how happy I felt the day my step-daughter became my real daughter. It wasn't the most conventional anniversary gift, but I believe there was no better gift in the world I could have given my family.

I now have a wonderful little girl and my wife can rest easy knowing her daughter will always be safe.