Dhriti's diary- March 16

I remember that day vividly—Wednesday, March 16. I was sitting in a junior oncologist’s chamber, surrounded by my family and friends, discussing the next steps after being diagnosed with triple-positive breast cancer.

I had written before about how surreal and nightmarish those days felt. One of the many things cancer taught me was the importance of having a Plan B when life suddenly unravels.

In that consultation room, we explored different options for preserving my fertility, all while grappling with the uncertainty of recurrence. In the end, we chose to begin treatment immediately, without preserving my eggs.

I told myself there are many ways to become a mother—being a biological one is just one path among many. And so, with the unwavering support of my then-fiancé, now my husband, I made that choice.

That’s when the idea of adoption quietly found its way into our hearts.

But the real emotional reckoning came later. A friend connected me with an adoptive mother, and one Saturday, we spoke about the process—applications, waiting periods, what to expect. After that call ended, I broke down. It felt like a part of me was unraveling, releasing long-held, unspoken emotions to make space for something new. The desire to be a biological mother is so deeply ingrained in us that letting go of it can feel like losing a piece of oneself. It was humbling, raw, and deeply transformative.

Then came the wait—four long years of paperwork, patience, and growing anticipation. As time passed, hope and uncertainty seemed to walk hand in hand.

And then, on a beautiful sunny day in November, Dhriti’s profile was matched with ours.

The moment I saw her name—so close to what it is now—I just knew. She was meant for us.

Dhriti entered our lives and changed them in the most beautiful way. The past four months have been nothing short of an adventure. Among the many lessons she has brought into my life, one stands out the most: the true meaning of faith—and how deeply we underestimate forms of parenting that aren’t biological.

During our first meeting with the social worker who guided us through the adoption process, she shared a thought that has stayed with me ever since: a husband and wife, in many ways, adopt each other too—they choose one another and build a life together. The same, she said, holds true for a child.

And now, here she is—Dhriti—playing with her doll, proudly showing off a new trick she learned just a few days ago.