On November 20, 2010, Maricopa County held its annual Adoption Day when all families adopting arrive at the Juvenile Courthouse to finalize what has always been a long process by a lot of patient and very loving families. Not only was this day amazing in itself, but Maricopa County held over 450 adoptions that day, that largest record by a few hundred by any other county nationwide.
An adopting mom, Margot, brought me in to document all the jubilation starting with a very special party she organized in downtown Phoenix’s The Duce. BTW, I highly recommend everyone of all ages and interests go check them out! The staff was very accommodating to the party, and everyone was fascinated by this historic warehouse turned restaurant with a real boxing ring and cool surprises around every corner.
The party really got started at 11am with the sneaking in of 4 super heroes who came up to Margot’s son, Anthony, and lifted him up into the air. You have never seen such amazement on a child’s face, and I know all of us adults in the room felt it.
And then there was the bus! The Duce has their own vintage bus they use for events and catering which we boarded and it hauled us all off to the courthouse. Family friends had a book made for Anthony’s Adoption and one of his teachers read it aloud to everyone as we trekked on our way.
There was a lot of excitement and anticipation on the bus. It was a very long-awaited moment for this occasion.
When we arrived our superheroes were a hit with all the other kids too, and then we saw there were others there too provided by the courts! It was not confusing to any of the kids to see two Spidermen, it was just double the fun!
We waited for our turn in the courtroom, 12:30pm, tick-tock!
The entourage of family and friends from across the country filled all the seats, we were a full house!
It was a pretty cool sight of the Phoenix skyline driving back to The Duce.
The original pavement marks 1940 when the warehouse was built where The Duce now resides.
December 18, 2010
Event, Portrait