On this day that our final decree is granted, I’m wondering: What do you call the day you adopted your children? I have mixed feelings about many of the choices I’ve seen. I don’t mean to hurt or put down any of the fine families I’ve seen use these terms, but here’s a summary of the issues I have:

Family Day: Were you not a family before you adopted? Thus, this really isn’t the day you became a family. “Bigger Family Day” maybe...but that just doesn’t have a catchy ring to it, does it?

Gotcha Day: True, it’s the day we “got” our, but I “get” things every day, not all of which have the special meaning that my children do. Also, because one of my children suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, this term is particularly painful, since one of the things she articulates the most is the fear that “bad men” will come and “get” her. Thus, “gotcha” has an extremely negative connotation for her.

And when do you celebrate this day? Our initial petition for adoption was granted six months ago. In our minds, that is the day the children became ours legally, since that document granted them all rights and privileges accorded to birth children of ours, and granted us all legal rights to our children. Yet, today marks the day that the final decree is issued and amended birth certificates will be issued with their new last names – ours. However, we were five states away, and while certainly cognizant of the magnitude of this day, it didn’t have the same pomp and circumstance as being in chambers with the judge and watching her sign the document that would forever change our lives.

So, ideas? Opinions? Want to agree or disagree? Chime in, I’d really love to hear your perspective as to why you chose the term you did, how you celebrate, and when!