It’s been an unexpected year, to say the least. Like many of you, we’ve had our own share of struggles as we learned to adapt and navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. But even through everything that’s happened over the past 11 months, there are still so many things that we’ve been grateful for as an agency.  But even through everything that’s happened over the past 11 months, there are still so many things that we’ve been grateful for as an agency.

To celebrate this year’s Thanksgiving, we’d like to share them all with you:

Our Amazing Adoption Courts

The finalization hearing is a special moment that every adoptive parent eagerly looks forward to. But, like pretty much everything else, many adoption courts had to shut down in-person hearings during the height of the pandemic.

Thankfully, we’ve had a few options for working around this temporary setback.

To the adoption courts that have allowed online and phone finalizations during this stressful time, we sincerely want to thank you! We know that a virtual hearing is something no one was ready for, and it can be a bit awkward to have such an important event through a video conference.

So, thank you for going above and beyond to make every adoptive parent’s dream a reality.

The Hospital Staff for Being So Understanding

For many people — not just those involved in adoption —navigating hospital visits has been one of the most challenging parts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Crowded waiting rooms feel like a thing of the past as we move toward booking appointments from our phone and sitting inside our cars until it’s time to go in. And, if you’re like most adoptive families or birth parents, you’ve probably been pretty stressed about what it’s going to be like to meet each other at the hospital for the first time with everything that’s been going on.

For Thanksgiving, we want to thank the hospital staff that’s been so flexible when it comes to adoptive families and birth parents meeting during this important step.

If you’re an adoptive parent or prospective birth parent preparing for delivery, don’t forget to say thank you to your doctors, nurses and hospital admin staff!

Our Adoptive Parents for their Incredible Patience

The holidays can be especially difficult for adoptive parents waiting to become a family. We know the last thing you expected during your wait was a global pandemic.

We want to thank you for being so patient while policies are constantly changing. As you know, the COVID-19 situation is continually evolving, and it can be hard to sit still as we all wait for the next steps.

We know that this is a difficult time for everyone, but your flexibility means more than you know. It might not be easy right now, but thank you for trusting in us and your adoption specialists as we get through the pandemic together.

Birth Parents for their Trust During this Stressful Time

Expectant parents are making the hardest decisions of their lives during an unprecedented and unexpected time in history. Facing an unplanned pregnancy is already hard enough, but throw in a global pandemic, and it can be downright scary.

From the bottom of our hearts, we want to thank you for trusting and leaning on us during this time. We know that it’s not easy when you’re going through so much.

We want you to know that we are still here for you, no matter what you need. Don’t forget that if you ever need someone to talk to, you can always reach out to your adoption specialist, no matter what time it is or what you’re going through.

This may be a stressful experience, but you never have to go through it on your own.

Our Adoption Specialists for Going Above and Beyond

To our incredible adoption specialists, we just want to say thank you so much for all that you do!

The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown all of us for a spin. Like everyone else, we have had to take everything one day at a time as we learn to adjust to our new normal.

We’d like to give a huge shout out to our team for continuing to go above and beyond as they continue to serve the needs of prospective birth parents and adoptive families. Our team is one of a kind, and their resilience is something that we don’t take for granted.

Our American Adoptions Staff for Being so Flexible

In addition to our wonderful adoption specialists, there are so many other people who are involved in making each adoption a reality. To our amazing staff, we want to thank you for rolling with the changing situation and for everything you do!

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Once again, thank you all for sticking with us through such a hectic year. We hope that you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!