Chapter 21 Hudson
HUDSON
“Thank you so much for coming with me. I have no idea why I’m this nervous,” I admit.
I can’t get my leg to stop bouncing as we wait for them to call me in for my interview.
Hopefully this will be the first of many.
The person I spoke with from the adoption agency explained this would be an initial interview to go over my application and discuss the process, and if everything goes well, I’ll be approved to move forward with the next steps.
It’s one of my rare no-game days in Chicago, and I’m so grateful that Adrian was able to take a few hours off as well to be here for emotional support. He’s always so calm and steady, and it helps me to be that way as well. I know I’d be ten times worse if he wasn’t here.
“No problem, you know I’m happy to help,” he assures me with a smile.
“Plus, I think it’s good to be nervous. That just shows how much you care.
” I smile back, and I can feel my heart rate approaching a slightly more normal pace with his assurances.
“Not that you have anything to worry about. You’re a great applicant on paper and even more so in person.
They’ll see how lucky any kid will be to call you dad. ”
“How do you always know exactly what to say to make me feel better?”
“It’s a gift,” he preens, making my smile grow even more.
“Mr. Roy? You can come on in,” a woman, who looks about my age, says, motioning for me to follow her into the office we’ve been waiting outside of.
I stand, and when Adrian doesn’t follow, she turns to me. “Would you like your friend to join us?”
I perk up immediately. “Is that allowed?”
“Of course. If you’d like to, that is. But it could help if you have questions later on to have someone with you who might help you to remember everything we talk about.”
I turn back to Adrian. “Would you mind?”
“Not at all.” He hops out of his seat eagerly. “Can I take notes?”
The woman nods. “Yes, if Hudson is okay with it, that would be great. By the way, my name is Holly.”
“It’s great to meet you.” We all exchange introductions and shake hands before Adrian and I settle in on a couch across from the one Holly is seated at.
The whole thing feels far more casual than I was expecting.
Between that and having Adrian at my side, my nerves finally turn into excitement.
I can’t believe this is finally happening.
It all feels so real; I’m going to hopefully be a dad soon!
Holly offers us a warm smile. “Alright, Hudson, for this initial application interview, we’ll discuss the background information you included in your application, adoption expectations, and the details of the different parts of the adoption process.”
“Okay, that sounds great.” Out of the corner of my eye, I can see that Adrian has already begun taking notes on his phone.
“Do you have any initial questions or concerns before we begin?”
I nod, worried about voicing my fears, but I know for this process to work, I need to be open and honest about everything.
So I take a deep breath and go for it. “Will it be a problem that I’m a single man wanting to adopt?
I know legally there’s nothing against it, but in practice, have you seen that be a barrier? ”
Holly gives me a reassuring smile as she shakes her head, and the relief I feel is immediate.
“There used to be rules and stigma against single parent adoption, and I won’t lie to you, there might be some expecting women who gloss over a profile because of it, but I’ve seen more and more single parents successfully adopt every year.
If there’s no concern about emotional readiness and there’s proof of a strong support network, there’s no reason for concern. ”
I let out a huge sigh of relief. “That’s great to hear. I’m really excited about the opportunity to become a father, and I definitely think I have the necessary support.” I can’t help but glance at Adrian as I say that, and he meets my gaze with a soft smile.
“I can see that,” Holly agrees. “Okay, let's start by having you tell me a little bit about why you’d like to adopt.”
“Sure.” I tell her all about how amazing my parents are, about how great my childhood was, and how I’ve always dreamed of passing down the love I grew up with to my own children one day.
Then I explain how Adrian helped me realize that I didn’t need to wait to go after what will make me happy, and that led me to look into adoption.
Holly nods and hums as I talk, all while maintaining her welcoming expression, so I think things are going well.
“Okay, next we’ll go over your application. You’re in your final year as a professional hockey player, is that correct?”
“Yes. I didn’t want to wait until I was retired to start the application process, because I know it can take a long time, but as soon as the season is over, I’m hoping to dedicate my time to my family.”
She nods. “And will that mean you’ll no longer have any income?”
“I’ve saved and invested a significant portion of my income for my entire career, and I’ve had quite a few endorsement deals and opportunities over the years that have provided income beyond my contract with the team.
I’ll continue to have income from some of those investments, combined with what I have saved, it should be more than enough for a comfortable life for me and my family. ”
“Okay, great. I do see some information about that here in your application, but you’ll need to submit official proof of all that during the home study process if you proceed.”
“Of course. I’ve already spoken with my financial advisor about having that paperwork ready to share when needed.”
“Wow, you’re prepared,” she says, sounding impressed. Adrian was actually the one who suggested I call and request that my advisor start that process. Adrian really thinks of everything.
“Okay, I know you attended an informational session,” Holly continues, looking back down at the stack of papers in her hand. “You’ve indicated that you’re interested in domestic infant adoption, is that still the case?”
I nod eagerly. “Yes, and I would be open to discussing any level of adoption with the birth family: closed, semi-open, open. Whatever we all think would make the most sense for the specific circumstance.” She writes something down on her paper.
I turn to Adrian while I wait for her next question, and he gives me a reassuring smile.
I am so grateful to have him here. From the looks of his phone, he’s taking diligent notes, and knowing that we can talk about this later when I’m sure I’ll be worried I said something wrong, makes me feel so much better.
“Alright, the next step of the process will require you to complete at least ten hours of training. There are required classes on prenatal substance exposure, transracial adoption, relationships with birth parents, and talking to children about adoption. The remaining hours can be on any adoption related topic of your choosing. Child and infant CPR is required in addition to those hours. General parenting classes are encouraged, and we’ll provide info on where you can do all that. ”
“Great,” I agree easily. That sounds like I’ll be moving on to the next step. My excitement rises, but I try to remind myself that nothing is official yet.
“After all the required education is completed, and the necessary documents are reviewed, the next step would be a home visit and safety inspection. There will be more interviews, as well as interviews of some of your references. It’s not an easy process, and everything takes time.”
“I understand.”
She puts down the papers to look at me, her expression more serious.
“After all that is completed and approved, then you would move onto the matching stage. That can take months, even years in some cases. I know this is all very exciting now, but I want to be clear that this could be a very long process. Are you prepared for that?”
I take a moment to consider what she’s saying.
A lot can change in a year. I know that firsthand.
I feel like a completely different person than I did even six months ago, when I was married and hoping to get Shelby pregnant.
Now I’m desperately hoping that the man sitting next to me might consider dating me, might eventually want to be the hypothetical kid I’m talking about adopting’s other parent.
But I like the person I am today. And everything about this process has felt right, as if I were exactly where I’m meant to be. So I answer easily.
“Yes. I know that it might take years, but I feel like I’m meant to do this. I’d like to think it’ll take however long it needs to, and I’ll end up being the parent of whatever child is meant to be in my life.”
Adrian puts his hand on my knee, giving it a supportive squeeze that has my heart racing. Would he want to be a part of that, too?
But those thoughts can’t be my focus right now, so after a quick smile at him, I turn back to Holly. Her encouraging expression is still there. “Alright, Hudson, if you don’t have any other questions, I’ll be in touch soon.”
We all exchange goodbyes, and I manage to maintain my composure until Adrian and I are alone in the elevator. “Okay, am I too confident, or did that go really well? I don’t know why I thought it would be more of an interrogation, but I feel good about it.”
His grin lights up the small space. “It was perfect! I’m so glad they let me come in with you.
I took notes on everything, and I already shared the document with you so you can refer to it if you have questions, but you did a great job.
Everything came across as so genuine. I’m sure they’ll approve you. ”