My heart skipped a beat at the thought. “I’m willing to do whatever it takes. Please, tell me how to start the process.”
She gave me the details of the local child services agency I needed to contact and explained the initial steps. I immediately got to work. I filled out the application forms, provided references, and scheduled my first meeting with a social worker.
The social worker, a kind – looking woman named Mrs. Thompson, came to my apartment for an initial assessment. She looked around my tidy, well – decorated living room and smiled. “You have a lovely place here. And I understand you’ve had a prior connection with Matthew?”
I nodded, my eyes welling up with tears as I recounted the day I found him on the plane. “I just want to give him a safe place, at least until his mother is found or a more permanent solution is worked out.”
Mrs. Thompson nodded sympathetically. “We’ll do our best to expedite the process. Given the circumstances, it’s important to get Matthew into a familiar and loving environment as soon as possible.”
A week later, after a series of interviews, background checks, and home inspections, I received the news I had been waiting for. I was approved to be Matthew’s temporary foster parent.
I rushed to the child services agency, my heart pounding with excitement and nervousness. When I walked into the room where Matthew was, he was sitting on a small mat, playing with a rattle. He looked up at me, and for a moment, I thought I saw a glimmer of recognition in his eyes.
“Matthew,” I said softly, kneeling down in front of him. He let out a little coo and reached out his tiny hands towards me. I picked him up, and he nestled against my chest, just like he had on the plane.
From that moment on, my life changed. I became a foster mother, and Matthew became the most important thing in my life. Detective Reynolds continued to work on the case, but as the days turned into weeks and then months, there was still no sign of Matthew’s real mother.
I started to consider the possibility of adopting Matthew. I loved him with all my heart, and he had brought so much joy into my life. I knew it would be a long and complicated process, but I was determined to give Matthew the stable, loving home he deserved, whether his mother was found or not. And as I watched Matthew grow and thrive, I knew that this unexpected encounter on a plane had led me to the most important journey of my life.
