Dear American Adoptions,

We are so thrilled to be writing our thank you letter! It’s been quite a journey, to say the least. So let me begin by thanking the wonderful people we worked with at American Adoptions. Megan Cautio was there from the start and was always available to answer questions and just listen. Thank you also to Kelly and Lara as well as the people who kept our records up to date and the friendly people who answer the phone! Finally, the two lawyers that we worked with were so helpful as well. 

 

Our story begins like so many; we spent many years on the fertility rollercoaster, experiencing many ups and downs and disappointments. Adoption was an option that we always had in our minds and, as we discovered, it was the option that was on our hearts as well. We completed our profile with American Adoptions in the spring of 2007. Then the waiting began. I went through periods where I poured through the stories of other couples on the American Adoption website; then, there were times when it was too difficult to read stories of other people’s success as the waiting period grew longer.

 

Nine months later we received a call about a couple who had chosen us to be the adoptive parents of their baby, due in April 2008. We were so thrilled! As the due date approached, we began to tell our family and friends and make plans for our baby girl. The teachers at the school where I work had a beautiful shower for us in March; the baby’s room was painted, and our dining room began to fill with beautiful, thoughtful gifts. Then our hearts were broken with a phone call and the words “the birth parents have had second thoughts”. We were devastated. The months that followed were difficult, but our family and friends were so supportive. For anyone who is reading this and is waiting, hang in there! We found that the best way to spend the waiting time is to live life! We spent time with friends and became involved in activities through our church. I became addicted to knitting, Kip took up golf. 

 

It would be one year later, in March 2009 that we would receive another phone call. Ironically, this baby was a boy! The birth mother had left the selection up to American Adoptions; we had hoped to meet her, but respected her wishes. As it turned out, we ended up communicating with our baby’s birth mother through her attorney and her social worker at American Adoptions. We were able to get a sense of who she is and to communicate our thanks to her, even though we did not meet face to face. As we have learned, everyone’s story is different and everyone’s journey is unique and wonderful!

 

Our son Christopher was born on May 13, 2009. Words could not express the feelings we experienced when we saw him the next day in the hospital nursery. He was born in the state next to ours, so we were able to travel quickly and easily. The staff at the hospital and the hotel were absolutely wonderful – they were so excited and helpful! My family was able to come to visit a few days later, as were some dear friends.   Christopher is the joy of our lives and we can’t imagine our lives without him. Yes, it was worth the wait and the often bumpy journey. Thank you again, American Adoptions, for playing a large part in making our dreams come true. We are forever thankful and grateful!