We were going through old papers and were delighted to find the same-sex second parent adoption work you did for us in 2003! Tricia and I planned her pregnancy using donor sperm and I needed to become a legal co-parent. This was when VT was the only state in the U.S. that recognized same-sex civil unions. You were amazing - you were a strong advocate in uncharted territory for us and for emerging LGBTQ family law in general. We had also never hired a lawyer before but you made it easy and safe! I will always remember 2003 in the courthouse when Tricia, 4 month old Julia, you, and I stood in front of the judge with stuffed animals surrounding us and I could breathe a huge sigh of relief as I legally became her other mother!
We moved to Tricia's home state a year later and my family came here over the next few years so Julia has grown up with her family surrounding her. She was the only child in elementary school with two same sex parents but she was well accepted - I like to think the 3 of us opened a lot of minds by our example. (We have a lot of funny lines that Julia got from cute little kids trying to explain her family to her LOL.) We were proud that Tricia eventually led the Girl Scout troop that everyone wanted to put their daughters in. And Julia has been exceptional in so many ways - earning academic awards, Girl Scout awards, sports achievements, and we are blessed that she is still close to us. Although I was sad that I was unable to have my own biological baby, I was so comforted and blessed to be a mother to Julia.
I thought you'd like to see what you helped create and hear how grateful we are to you (see how tall she is ha ha). I'm happy to see that you have helped so many other families grow and find joy like we have. THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts for the best gift we have ever received.