A belated Father's Day post

When we met Alex for the first time, V and I were in the meeting room first.  We had seen video, pictures and I had imagined how the scene might play out in a million different scenarios (really, like 3) for over a year. 
In the end, I had no idea what to expect, or how I would react.  I did know, though, that without a shadow of a doubt, V would hold it together and be the brains of the operation.
And I was right.

When the foster mother and sister brought him in, I think we were both so relieved.  Relieved that the moment had finally come and we were finally a family.
Then as fast as that euphoria was born, of course my mind split into 10 different directions and I started getting overwhelmed with joy and fear all at the same time.  As I sat there trying to immediately do all the right things and seem cool and collected, Vivek just took out his camera and filmed him playing.  He interacted with Alex and Alex crawled right up in his lap with curiosity.  I watched in jealousy as my strategy had been to hang back and let Alex come to me.  I didn't want to crowd Alex and make him uncomfortable and was trying to remember what all the books said...

They just played and Vivek made him laugh.

That is pretty much their relationship now.  Alex loves him so much and is excited to see him every time.
"Daddy!"  when he gets home from work, sees him after sleeping, etc.

I don't know if Vivek was ever concerned about fathering a son who didn't physically resemble him in the least...if so he never let on.  A nice man with a hook for a hand told us Alex would be tall, "just like his Daddy..."
I thought, hello?!  Do you think he's that recessive?
When Alex and I are alone, no one thinks a thing.
When we are all three together, I am the divorcee with a child from a previous marriage.
When Vivek and Alex are alone, who knows...

But a child sees none of that.  Alex sees him as Daddy, the fun care taker who isn't overbearingly controlling like his mom.  
I'm so thankful he gets V as a Dad.

First day as father and son.  September 2012.