A Monumental Monday In The Family!

I don’t think anybody got much sleep last night! Today has been a long time coming but it’s finally here: Leelan will legally become Bill’s son!

Leelan’s biological father – Casey’s first husband – left a few days before Leelan was born and has never been part of his life, and I will say no more about him.

Casey and Bill had known each other for a very long time, and even dated on and off. Then things got serious and they were married and Bill happily became “dad to Leelan” (and Lyra of course), and later they welcomed Luna.

Parenting is tough but Bill has accepted the role gladly. Together Casey and Bill have created a family that is fun and loving and wonderful, and have worked hard for the day when Bill was not only dad in practice, but in name as well.

And today is that day. Later this afternoon Pete and I will join them in court – via Zoom – as Leelan becomes Bill’s legal son and takes on his name. They’re already dad and son – now it will be legal, though it’s not just about the legality of it, or even Leelan taking on Bill’s name. It’s about everything it takes in the father-son relationship, the commitment and the unconditional love, the respect for each other, and the very important task of molding a young mind and heart into a man of integrity, honor, compassion, and moral – as well as physical – strength.

As Casey’s mom this has additional meaning for me. I have watched her stumble along the way, following paths that I knew would bring her pain yet powerless to stop her, and agonized at her utter despair at times. And prayed. And prayed. And prayed.

And I have also watched her pull herself up…trying to be a wife while pregnant with Leelan, unable to hold food down throughout with hyperemesis gravidarum, working full time to support herself and her “husband” while finishing her senior year of high school, living in a room in a run down motel, and still a child herself…moving home when he left her with the shambles of their life together just days before Leelan’s birth…watching her take on motherhood of a newborn just 17 years younger than her…seeing her determination as she set her future in her mind and then worked her way toward it, working two jobs while attending school and raising this wonderful baby boy, then moving out to an apartment of her own nearby to have a home for herself and her toddler, finally gaining total independence as she moved to a city for better opportunities…welcoming her beautiful second child soon after…managing college and working full time in her chosen field as she got not one degree, but TWO at the same time she was a single mom to 2 children, one of whom had special needs requiring frequent visits to specialists in another part of the state…and meanwhile developing her relationship with Bill that led to their marriage. All done with strength and determination that leaves me in wonder! And then with Bill’s loving support her amazing dream career…and their baby Luna… I think that there is nothing that my girl cannot do when she sets her mind to it. And today as her husband and her son become united in name I can’t help but be in awe as she has reached yet another goal. Milestone after milestone is the story of her adult life. Now, together with Bill, I have no doubt that they will continue to achieve great things. I cannot imagine a better mother for Leelan than Casey. Or a better father for him than Bill.

10 thoughts on “A Monumental Monday In The Family!

  1. Very well said. Casey is amazing. Not sure how she does it all but it all – she does. I have nothing but high respect for her. When she asked me to official her and Bill’s marriage, it was such a great honor. Leelan has known Bill as ‘dad’ for a long time. It is very hard for a boy to grow up without a dad in his life. Bill gladly accepted Leelan and Lyra as part of the package being married to Casey. And, God blessed them with a child of their own blood and genes, (Luna).
    As a boy growing up without a Dad in the picture because of divorce, I know the empty feeling – the hole in one’s heart – of something missing. Today, this day, this wonderful and marvelous day, Leelan will have that hole, that emptiness filled,
    I pray, in the name of Jesus, the bond becomes stronger as the hours, days, weeks, months and years pass, To Bill, today you officially have your own Son. To Leelan, today you officially have your own DAD. God bless you both and God bless your family. Amen.

  2. Beautiful sentiments ~ beautiful occasion ~ beautiful family.
    So happy for all … no words right now. What a blessing!!! All good things come from the Father above!! <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 + <3 <3

      1. James 1:17? Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. (ESV)

  3. Congratulations to all! Now is Lyra’s last name [redacted] as well? If not, she may wish it to be, and feel like an ‘outcast’ in case it isn’t. It was interesting to learn of Casey’s background, being pregnant at 17 with a guy who left just before his son was to be born…to now, having two college degrees, a full time job, mom to three young children, and wife. Like, what does she do in her ‘spare’ time? (smile). I’m happy for you. Best wishes for many more happy, healthy years together as the [redacted]s and Peters.

    1. At some point Lyra will likely follow suit, it doesn’t seem to bother her that her name is different from the others…but her situation is also different, but I expect that someday it will happen :). And YES, Casey married quite young, but since has accomplished so much in her life, I can’t be more proud of her, or more impressed! What I always thought of as stubbornness when she was a child has definitely served her well as an adult :). I am hoping things are going well for you, love to hear from you, and sending love!

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