3 Adoption Stories From Our Families

When you’re pursuing adoption, it can be a beautiful, life-changing experience. It’s important to know what to expect throughout the process, and one of the best ways to learn is through adoption stories from families that have been in your shoes.

If you want to learn more about how to begin the domestic adoption process, then you can always call 1-800-ADOPTION or fill out our contact form to get more free information now.

In the meantime, we’ve compiled three adoption stories below to give insight on what to expect from the domestic adoption process.

3 Adoption Stories from Our Families

At American Adoptions, we’ve worked with thousands of families, and each adoption journey is unique. No two adoption stories look the same, but these three stories of adoption can help you understand some of the emotions of adoption.

1. Sarah, Ken and Bode’s Adoption Story

When Sarah and Ken decided to start building their family, they knew adoption was the best decision for them. They spent most of their 20s and 30s traveling and focusing on their careers. When they wanted to become parents, they ultimately felt that private adoption was the way to go. Sarah and Ken became an active family with American Adoptions in 2019, and they couldn’t have expected how quickly things moved.

“The time for the home study is on the adoptive parents,” Sarah said. “So, if they want to finish it in six months, great. If they want to take a few years and take their time, that’s fine. It’s all about how soon they want to bring a child into their family.”

Once we completed their family profile and home study, Sarah and Ken prepared themselves for the average 1-12 month wait. Nine weeks after activation, they got the call. An adoption opportunity had come up, and the prospective birth mother was due in just three weeks.

The birth mother was induced shortly after and they met her at the hospital where the staff was friendly and accommodating the entire time. After the baby was born, the birth mother left the hospital, allowing Sarah and Ken to bond with their new son. Once they were discharged, they checked into a hotel for their ICPC wait, and, after 10 days, they were approved to fly home.

Looking back, adoption was one of the best decisions they could have ever made.

“Just trust the professionals because, for us, they did everything right,” Sarah said. “It could not have gone better for us. I believe in the universe and that things are going to come together in the way they’re supposed to.”

Read more about Sarah and Ken’s adoption story here.

2. Adrian, Vicki and Graham’s Adoption Story

Like many adoptive parents, Adrian and Vicki struggled with infertility. Adoption, though, gave them the chance to make their dreams of parenthood a reality. So, they started researching adoption agencies. They chose American Adoptions because of our national reach, which would increase their chances of finding the perfect adoption opportunity.

“We were thinking there were so many children that need good homes, so let’s just adopt,” Vicki remembers. “The whole infertility stuff was just very overwhelming. We just thought that adoption would be the best choice.”

After deciding which adoption preferences they were comfortable with, the wait began. Sticking by their adoption preferences was an important part in the adoption process. Even as their wait continued to lengthen, they knew that the right match would eventually come along.

The waiting came to an end when a prospective birth mother chose Adrian and Vicki 18 months later. Vicki was at work when she got the call, and she was nothing short of delighted.

 The prospective birth mother was already raising two older children. She shared two phone conversations with the couple before she gave birth, and she preferred an open adoption relationship consisting of photos and letters received four times a year.

Adrian and Vicki always offer the opportunity for more contact in every letter they send. Today, Adrian and Vicki are raising Graham, the 2-year-old ball of fire they’re happy to call their son. Looking back, Adrian and Vicki wouldn’t change a thing about their adoption experience.

“It’s been single-handedly the most amazing thing to happen to either of us,” Adrian said. “It’s just been the biggest enhancement to not only our lives as a three-member family now, but also to our extended family. It’s almost impossible to put into words, but the overwhelming feeling I have is just one of pure joy and happiness.”

Read more of Adrian and Vicki’s adoption story here.

3. Darla, Easton and Braxton’s Adoption Story

When Darla and Easton found out that they couldn’t conceive, adoption was the best choice for them. The couple began exploring their options and started researching agencies. Because of Easton’s background as an international adoptee, they briefly considered this type of adoption before ultimately deciding that domestic adoption was right for them.

As they started talking to family and friends, many people had negative feelings toward domestic adoption. After talking to American Adoptions, their worries went away. Darla and Easton decided that American Adoptions was the best choice because of our level of professionalism  and experience.

“You hear a lot of people telling horror stories, but I would want them to know in advance that’s not every story,” Darla said. “There are a lot of great birth mothers out there. If you meet the birth mother or you have a semi-open or open adoption, that doesn’t mean you’re going to be less of a mom or lose your child in any way.”

From there, they built an open Adoption Planning Questionnaire, which included the willingness to be matched with prospective birth mothers who had a history of medical conditions and substance abuse. They were willing to take the leap of faith, hoping that fate would bring the right child into their lives.

Four months after being an active adoptive family, Darla and Easton got the call that there was a baby who was just born in Michigan, and the birth mom chose them as the adoptive family.

They spoke to the birth mother at the hospital, and they’re thrilled they were able to build a relationship with her. Although she wanted updates on his life via photos and letters, she was comfortable with no face-to-face contact unless he wanted to later in life.

“Looking back on it, I don’t think I would have coped emotionally if I hadn’t met [the birth mom],” Darla said. “She was fully, with her whole heart, giving us Braxton. I felt like she felt more at ease after she had visited us and talked with us.”

Read more about Darla and Easton’s adoption story here.

To learn more about domestic infant adoption, or if you’re ready to get started with the adoption process, then you can fill out this contact form to get more free information now. We would be more than happy to help!

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