Chapter 9

As we saw things progressing, Paul and I realized we had to further process a name. As we did with each one of our children, we contemplated long and hard about this decision and coming up with just the right one was going to take time. We had already chosen “Naomi Renee” but had not yet figured out how to incorporate “Isabella Janine or Nicole”. Pam had chosen the “Isabella,” but her second name was still undecided. We could not dismiss my name, that would become hers. It seemed that the middle name was giving all of us the most trouble.

In fact, it was not until the day at school when one of Paul’s students remarked about how she had two middle names, that we had even considered the possibility. Naomi Isabella Renee Longshore. It was quite the name, a statement in itself, but it was perfect. We chose Isabella, the name Pam had picked. It was not only a melody of her parent’s hopes and dreams, but the length of her name was a tip-of-the-hat to her Italian heritage. I was excited about telling Pam about our final decision…sort of.

Flashbacks of the restaurant filled my head. Paul’s announcement and Pam’s obvious look of disappointment and disgust. Would she approve? The right to name her was ours, if she was going to be our daughter, but I did not want to discount Pam’s feelings — I knew this would be difficult for her. 

During this time, I realized that Pam was becoming more secure in her decision for adoption. One decided move was when she handed me some clothing and blankets she had collected during her pregnancy. I knew this was a pivotal moment. She was handing over everything she had collected in hope of being able to care for Naomi – like she was passing the torch. It was at this time that we began to explain to our oldest child, Lydia, that Pam might need us to care for Naomi after she is born, to help her out a little bit. We would not go as far to say that she was going to have a sister, but I saw the hope well up in her eyes – it was now a possibility.

It was also at this time that I decided to tell Pam of the name we had chosen. I was picking Pam up for the day and bringing her back to our place. It was the first time we would be meeting her family. I thought this would be a good time to make the announcement, in the car ride on the way home. Right before a stop light, I blurted it out; I could not find the perfect moment. Tears began to form in Pam’s eyes, and within ten seconds, spilled over, running down her cheeks. I began to cry too, in the finality of the moment. It had been spoken, and there was no turning back now.

I was absolutely shocked and honored when Renee told me what her full name would be. I was excited that she and Paul chose to incorporate her birth name, Isabella, as one of her middle names. It meant a great deal to me.

From that point forward, for the rest of the car ride, I cannot remember what it was that we found to talk about. I tried to calm my stomach as best I could in order to prepare for the next milestone. Bring on the family.