Monica and Chandler with their babies.
A famous line by Chandler Bing (Matthew Perry) on Season 10, episode 9 of the TV show Friends. The episode is called “The One with the Birth Mother”. This scene gets me every time. I cry like a baby. How many husbands would do what Chandler did in this scene so that they have a chance of adopting a baby? In this scene, Erica (Anna Faris), a potential birthmother from Ohio, found out that Chandler and Monica (Courteney Cox) are not a doctor and Reverend as their adoption profile stated. There was a mix-up and their jobs were listed incorrectly. When meeting with Erica, they went along with it, not knowing what else to do and thinking it may improve their chances of being selected. Although she did choose them, she now no longer wants them to parent the baby she is carrying. Erica did like them though and Chandler pleads with Erica to consider them as adoptive parents for the baby. Please excuse the foreign writing. I love this scene and it’s the only one of its kind on YouTube.
Many women (married and single) who are pursuing adoption feel this way. We are mothers without children. We take care of everyone else. We are organized. We fawn over our friend’s kids, as well as our nieces and nephews. We aren’t worried about changing diapers or staying up all night with a colicky infant. We want celebrate milestones that children achieve, but as a parent. In our hearts and in our minds, we are so ready to be mothers. One little thing is missing-the child.
Sadly, the roller coaster ride of adoption doesn’t always end with a smile. Opportunities come along, but they may be few and far between. In spite of their best efforts, some folks are not successful in adopting a baby. For Chandler and Monica to be picked to parent the baby (which turned out to be twins) and then have the birthmother change her mind because of an error the agency made, was devastating. Chandler jumped in and did the only thing he could do and asked her to reconsider them. It’s heartwarming to see a spouse love his wife so much that he was willing to lay it all on the line, in the hopes this young girl would consider them.
If that isn’t love, I don’t know what is.
To all the mothers without a baby, I feel your pain. I was once you. You are not alone. I hope destiny and fate bring a baby into your family and that you can become a mother WITH a baby to love.
Photos and video courtesy of NBC
Searching for Juno 