After carefully researching myriad options regarding adoption, we finally made a connection with Lifelong in October of 2013. Tisa, a birth mother coordinator, called us to tell us more about their services, and with great happiness, we quickly developed a strong rapport with her. My husband and I are prone to over-analysis, but this was one decision we made quickly: It just felt right. With the helpful assistance of Lifelong, we compiled our profile, and rapidly had a page posted that we felt was truly representative of our story for a potential birthmother/birth family.

In a brief period of time, we received a call from Tisa saying that a birth mom had shown interest in us! Tisa asked if it would be amenable to giving our information to the birthmother, and we excitedly agreed. As it turned out, our birthmother was schedule for her first prenatal doctor’s visit that very day! As hours passed, we found ourselves texting back and forth during the time of her prenatal visit. She stopped communicating for a few hours and we became a little worried. However, to our surprise and delight, she first texted us back that evening by saying, "I hope you're prepared for what I found out at the doctor...." The next text she sent was an ultrasound picture with the caption "Twin boys!" We were overjoyed, shocked, and too many emotions to accurately recount herein about the prospect of adopting twins, so we asked if we could speak later that evening. That night, we ended up spending close to two hours on the phone with both our birthmother and the birthfather. We were struck by the bravery, intelligence, and determination of both of them. She was objectively able to see that she would not be able to provide the life that she wanted for her two unborn sons. She wanted more for them, herself, and her family (her partner and other two children). From that one phone call, we knew we would be at very least, incredibly lucky/blessed/etc., on many levels, to be able to call her babies our own. After discussing with her the families’ upcoming schedule, we decided that we would leave for Louisiana to meet her and her family the very next day. Attempting to temper our overflowing enthusiasm, we spoke with Tisa, who helped us find legal counsel in our birthmother’s state (as well as process our emotions), and determine our next steps.

The experience we had that weekend was emotional, complex, and remarkable. It went very well and we laid a great foundation for our unfathomably, special relationship. Without mincing words, the next four months were both incredibly challenging for all, as well as, very rewarding. When we met our birth family, they were homeless. Thanks to our birth mom's force of will and a bit of support (both financially and emotionally) from us, she was able to find a job and move herself and her family into an apartment. She said throughout the process that she did not want a handout from us - she wanted to use our support during this time to establish a better and, most importantly, sustainable life for her and her family. We returned to visit again and got to attend an ultrasound with her! Getting to see the boys in real time was more powerful than we could have possibly imagined. She also seemed to be processing the adoption well and things appeared to be on track.

However, the following months were not without multiple, intermittent and derailing circumstances: The family’s car broke down and Louisiana law didn’t allow us to replace it; our birth mom could not maintain her new job, and the law would not allow us to provide transportation for her. When she was let go from her job, this seemed to threaten not only her new life, but the new life my husband and I had envisioned with the twins. She became despondent and we heard from her less and less frequently. However, Tisa advised us not to give up. With such reassurance, we continued to wholeheartedly do what we could to provide her unconditional emotional support, and what financial support was legally allowed. In all honestly, there were good days and bad days. On the bad days she would question everything: us as adoptive parents, Lifelong as the right agency for her, even the idea of adoption itself. The good days allowed us to keep the faith.

Then, on April 14th, our world changed forever. That night, we received a call from our birthmother saying she was ready to give birth to our boys, albeit a bit earlier than expected. In the wee-hours of the morning, we drove and drove and drove, straight to the hospital, four states away. Intermittently nervous, ecstatic, cautious, and elated, we arrived at the hospital. We walked in, and met our boys for the first time. While they were so very tiny and in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, they were thriving, and we were treated from the get-go as if we belonged there too, as their parents. While it would make sense if not all adoptive parents feel this way, from the first time we saw our little boys, we felt that they were our babies. After spending a few hours with our beautiful boys in the NICU, we decided to visit our birthmother and father, still recovering in the hospital.

In Louisiana, the birthmother has to wait at least five days after the birth to sign her parental right away. During those days, we learned how to diaper, feed, and hold premature infants (our guys!) with the help of amazing NICU staff. Also, over that period of time, we saw our birthmother and birthfather everyday, spending time with her and her family. We even got to meet our boys maternal grandmother, who while initially was not completely supportive of the adoption, came to form a positive connect with us. We treasure this time, as we will have stories to tell our sons about their birth family when they get older.

Our birthmother told us explicitly that she was going to go through with the adoption because we had stood by her through all the ups and downs over the last few months. At points along the way, we were not sure if we should have given her space or even given up hope. (Of note, our first of two adoption lawyers even advised us to give up.) We were so thankful for Tisa's guidance and undying support in trying to maintain contact and preserve our relationship with our birth family. Had she not advised us in this way, the outcome could have been very different.

Our birth mom signed papers six days after the boys were born. However they would remain in the NICU for a bit longer. One came home at two weeks old, and his brother, at three weeks. Our attorneys completed the ICPC paperwork as soon as they were both released from the hospital, and it was approved a few days later. We left Louisiana on May 11th, after nearly a month.

Today, at eight months old, the twins are healthy, happy, and growing up so fast! Even after being married nine years to each other, we never dreamed we could love this much. Our entire families concur, are in love with our boys! We will be forever grateful to Lifelong for connecting us with our sons (i.e., the most amazing and adorable and brilliant boys on the planet; not that we have any bias) and providing such tremendous support throughout our extraordinary journey. Additionally, we feel so fortunate to be able to continue to be connected with our birth family, and share pictures of their many developments on a regular basis.