With Hearts Wide Open
We had always wanted to build our family, and after much soul-searching and research, we felt most drawn to adoption. There’s something special about knowing you can offer a loving home to a child. From the very beginning, adoption felt right for us. It wasn’t a second option or a backup plan, it was a way to grow our family that truly resonated with our values and our hearts.
We talked for hours about what adoption would mean for us. How would we nurture a child? How could we help them grow, not just with love but also with a deep sense of security and identity? These were the questions that ultimately led us down this path, and we’ve never looked back. Our hearts were wide open from the start.
When we began looking into adoption agencies, LifeLong Adoptions really stood out. We combed through countless profiles and read so many of their adoption stories. We felt warmth and support emanating from each story. There was a genuine sense of community, and we felt reassured knowing that so many other adoptive families before us had positive experiences.
After speaking with LifeLong’s team, we felt even more confident that they were the right fit for us. We appreciated their transparency, their hands-on approach, and their commitment to making sure we understood every step of the adoption process. It wasn’t just about connecting us with a birthmother—it was about walking alongside us through the journey.
A Loving Support System
Starting our adoption journey, we felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. As first-time parents, we were thrilled at the idea of bringing a child into our lives. But there’s also a lot of fear and uncertainty that comes with adoption. We had been around kids before, but we knew having our own would be a completely different experience.
We found ourselves constantly thinking about how we would raise our future child. What kind of parents would we be? How would we show them unconditional love and guide them through life’s ups and downs? There’s so much that goes into parenting, and the reality of those responsibilities hit us in a way that was both exciting and a little overwhelming. Overall, however, we felt ready. Ready to love, teach, and support our future child in every way possible.
We wanted to share our adoption plans with our loved ones in a special way. We chose a family gathering to make the announcement, and we brought along our LifeLong adoptive family profile booklet to show everyone. Their reaction was amazing. We could feel the excitement radiating from everyone, especially since it had been a while since there was a baby in the family. It was such a heartwarming moment, and it gave us an extra boost of encouragement. Our family and friends were fully on board, offering us their support and love throughout the entire process. Their support became our anchor during the more difficult moments of our journey.
Our Path to Colton
Our adoption journey was long and, at times, emotionally draining, but we never lost hope. After a few months of waiting, we finally received our first opportunity. We were on a family trip to Disney when we got the call from LifeLong, and we couldn’t contain our excitement. We spent hours on the phone with the birthmother, talking and getting to know each other. We were so hopeful. Ultimately, things didn’t work out, and our connection was disrupted. That was tough.
A year or so later, a second expectant mother chose us. We started communicating with her and things were progressing well, but after a few days, she decided to move forward with a different family. It was hard to accept, but we respected her decision. We went back to waiting, holding onto hope that the right expectant mother was still out there for us.
Waiting was the hardest part of the adoption process for us. After our first two opportunities didn’t work out, it was difficult not to lose hope, and there were moments when we doubted if we’d ever be chosen again. But we kept reminding ourselves that adoption is a process, and sometimes it takes longer than expected.
We leaned on each other and our support system. Our family and friends were amazing throughout the process, constantly offering encouragement and reminding us that the right match would come. We also tried to stay busy, focusing on preparing for our future child and spending time with loved ones.
There were certainly difficult moments, but we kept reminding ourselves that patience and hope would see us through. Looking back, we’re so grateful for the support we received—it truly helped us navigate the ups and downs.
A few months later, our coordinator called us with the news that a third expectant mother wanted to speak with us. We approached it cautiously but with hope. From our very first conversation with her, things felt different. We hit it off immediately, and over time, we built a strong relationship with her. This time, everything fell into place, and we knew our family was going to grow.
The expectant mother expressed a desire to meet us in person before her baby was born, and we were thrilled to have the opportunity. We knew how much this decision meant to her, and we wanted her to feel comfortable with us. Finally meeting her was one of the most important moments of the entire process for us. It was such a surreal experience. We were able to sit down, talk, and really get to know one another. It wasn’t about convincing her to choose us, it was about building a relationship based on mutual respect and understanding. We left that meeting with a deep sense of connection. We felt honored that she trusted us to be the parents of her child.
The Call that Changed Our Lives
A few days before the expectant mother’s due date, we flew to her state and waited with anticipation for any news. The moment we finally got the call that she was in labor and our baby was about to be born, we experienced a whirlwind of emotions. We felt excited, nervous, and overwhelmed all at once.
When we received word that our son, Colton Jacob, had entered the world, we couldn’t wait to meet him. But our son’s birthmother wanted to spend some time alone with her baby first. The wait felt like forever for us, but we also understood how important that time was for her and we wholeheartedly respected it. When she was ready, she invited us to come and meet our son.
Meeting Colton for the first time was a moment we will never forget. Joshua, being the more emotional one, started crying as soon as he first held him in his arms. It’s hard to put into words what it feels like to hold your child for the first time. A strong and overwhelming sense of love and connection hits you all at once.
We spent time holding Colton, feeding him, and staring down into his tiny eyes. It felt like everything we had gone through—the waiting, the uncertainties, and everything else—had led us to this perfect little boy, our son. Colton was the most precious gift we could have ever imagined and we will forever be grateful to his birthmother. Our hearts were fuller than we ever thought possible.
A Happy Ending Worth the Wait
Initially, we had planned to have a semi-open adoption, but over time, our relationship with Colton’s birthmother naturally grew and evolved into a more open adoption. We couldn’t be happier with that. We have built a respectful and loving connection and communicate with her regularly. She will always have a special place in our hearts, and we’re glad that Colton will have a link to his birth story as he grows. We’ve learned that every adoption story is unique, and we’re so thankful for the way ours has unfolded. While the waiting felt never-ending at times, we can see now that everything happened for a reason. Colton was meant to be our son, and every moment of uncertainty led us to him.
Our advice to other adoptive parents is to trust the process, no matter how long or challenging it might be. Adoption is filled with highs and lows, but the key is to remain hopeful and patient. Even when things seem uncertain or when opportunities don’t work out, know that the right one is out there.
It’s important to put yourself in the birth parents’ shoes. Show empathy, respect their journey, and be the kind of adoptive parents you would want for yourself. Consistency and communication were crucial to the success of our connection with our son’s birthmother. We made a point to check in with her regularly and focus on her well-being, not just the baby’s. In the end, adoption is about love—both for your child and for the people who made your family possible. Embrace every moment, because the journey is just as important as the destination.