A Dream That Never Left Our Hearts
Adoption was something that had always lived quietly in our hearts. It was something we talked about as part of how we saw our family growing. There was just something about it that felt like the right path for us. Not a second choice — just our choice. Something that aligned with the way we wanted to bring a child into our lives: with intention, openness, and love.
When the time came to take that leap, I remember one evening just Googling adoption agencies. That's when we found LifeLong Adoptions. Their name caught my eye immediately, and as I explored their website and read the success stories, I just knew. This was where we were supposed to be. It felt warm, inclusive, and supportive from the very first interaction.
We started the process feeling a mixture of nervousness and excitement. It's hard to put into words the complexity of emotions that come with such a big step. We were hopeful, but the unknowns made it overwhelming at times. There's no clear roadmap in adoption — only trust and faith in the journey ahead.
We decided to keep it close to the chest in the beginning. Besides our bosses, we didn't tell many people right away. It felt sacred, and we wanted to protect our hearts while we navigated everything. But the few people we did tell were incredibly supportive. They didn't just listen — they celebrated with us, encouraged us, and held us through every up and down.
The Roller Coaster to Parenthood
The adoption journey truly is a roller coaster — one we weren't quite prepared for. We received an opportunity pretty quickly after joining LifeLong. We were so hopeful. But the birth mother ended up choosing another family, and that was a tough moment. We didn't realize how personal it would feel, and it really tested our patience and resolve.
Then came our second opportunity — this time for a five-year-old child. We were incredibly excited but also nervous. After a lot of deep and honest conversations, we realized that this particular situation wasn't the right fit for us. It was such a difficult decision, but one we had to make with our hearts and long-term vision in mind.
The third opportunity changed everything. Her name was Madi, and from the very first conversation, we clicked. She was warm, open, and incredibly strong. We built a relationship that went beyond anything we imagined. We texted every single day, did weekly FaceTime calls, and she included us in everything — every doctor appointment, every update. When it came time for her to be induced, we were the ones who picked her up and brought her to the hospital. We got to cut the cord. We got to witness our daughter's very first breath. It was magical — like life paused for a moment and became everything we'd ever hoped for.
The Moment Everything Changed
Meeting our daughter for the first time didn't feel real at first. It was like we were living in a dream, one we were afraid to wake up from. We had always secretly hoped for a girl, and while we were completely open, we couldn't believe that the perfect little girl we'd dreamed of had truly arrived. She was the missing piece of our family we didn't know we were missing until she was in our arms.
We are so grateful that we continue to have a relationship with Madi. Our bond didn't end at the hospital — we stay in touch and continue to share updates and moments with her. The love she showed by choosing us is something we'll never take for granted.
Advice for the Journey
There were certainly challenges along the way. The emotional ups and downs, the uncertainty, the waiting — they all take a toll. But we got through the wait by continuing to live our lives. We worked, traveled a little, leaned on each other, and focused on building a life ready for our child.
If I could give one piece of advice to any hopeful adoptive parent, it would be this: be patient and be informed. Learn everything you can about the process so you understand what's ahead. And when things feel hard — and they will — remind yourself that the child meant for you is on their way. You just have to trust the journey.
Because I promise, when you finally hold your baby in your arms, every step, every tear, and every sleepless night will have been worth it.