The Best Newborn Adoption Guide

Growing Your Family

Adopting a baby is an exciting journey. Adoption gives a precious child a new chance at life, and it gives you the opportunity to be the loving parent that child needs. We believe adoption is a perfect way to build a family.

Through our free guide you will learn the requirements and process to become an adoptive parent, how to choose the right way and type of adoption to fit your family, and the next steps to take on your adoption journey.

Ways to adopt and the types of adoption
The domestic newborn adoption process
Financial considerations and possible expenses
Tips on communicating with expectant parents

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Who we are.

Hi, we’re Carolyn & Sharon, founders of Angel Adoption.

Since 1998 we have helped more than 1,000 families achieve their dreams of parenthood through the miracle of adoption. As adoptive mothers ourselves, we’ve both experienced the pain of infertility and the joy of adoption, and we know first-hand how overwhelming the process can be. With our years of experience, knowledge, and support, we’d love to guide you through your adoption journey.

Angel Adoption Success Stories

The most rewarding part of what we do is seeing dreams become reality. Some of those families have generously chosen to share their adoption story with hopeful families just like you!

Allison & Torrey

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How it all began...

The Path to Parenthood

After many years of trying to conceive, IVF, IUIs—nothing worked. We have family members who were adopted; that opened up our hearts to the idea of adoption. We decided to take time off from trying and then started really exploring the option to adopt. We spoke with many different agencies, but Angel was the best fit!

A Unique Experience

The baby was born already and even after all of the heartache, this situation just felt right. But there were still reservations. The birth mother, rightfully so, took time to make the best decision and get closure before moving forward.

Meeting the birth father and birth mother was nothing like the previous birth family we had met. It felt nice—very relaxed. What was unique was that we met and held the baby at that same meeting. We stayed in the birth town for a week and had the opportunity to see them again before ICPC was approved. We even met with extended birth family.

Although we did experience previous heartbreak, meeting our baby confirmed why we remained so dedicated to this journey. We kept the faith and trusted in the process, so it was easy to fall in love right away with him.

The Biggest Challenges

The feeling of not being prepared has to be one of the biggest challenges we faced in the process of waiting to adopt. The lack of control over the process was obvious. We had lots of support from Aimee—we built a super strong relationship and it helped us get through the process. We thankfully received much support from family and friends as well.

Staying in Touch

Although it is not in the paperwork, we feel the relationship regarding post-placement communication is open. We're still in touch and have a happy and healthy relationship. We feel so lucky to have the birth family we do for our son. We share photo albums with the birth family.

Advice for Adoptive Parents

Keep going; don't give in to the feelings of wanting to give up. Go into each situation as if it will be the one. You don't want to have regrets. Lean on your support system. Be honest, be open, no matter what.

Ian & Michelle

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How it all began...

The Decision

After Ian and Michelle suffered several losses and medical tests revealed that they would not be able to conceive, adoption became the path and journey that would move them forward into growing their loving family. Ian and Michelle both stated "It felt like the right choice."

The couple turned to Angel Adoption after a planned adoption with people they knew fell through. It was then that they received a co-worker's recommendation to look into Angel Adoption. After doing research, they were pleased with what they learned about the agency, which gave them even more confidence to start their journey. Michelle stated, "Things felt good. We were close in location and everything seemed familiar, like everyone knew everyone."

The Waiting Game

As the couple started their journey, they realized that waiting was the hardest part. COVID also forced them to put everything on hold, and at times they both lost hope. Ian and Michelle both shared their decision to adopt with family and friends, and it was in those times of doubt they received the encouragement, love, and support of their village.

It wasn't until they were reaching the end of their contract and received a contract extension that things turned around for them and they were matched with their birth mother.

Meeting Our Birth Mother

One morning around 6:30 AM, they received a text that the birth mother was in labor—and a day earlier than expected! But without any hesitation, they moved quickly, found a dog sitter, changed flights, and made their way to the birth mother. When asked how they felt when receiving the text, Ian stated, "The anxiety was insane! And it was a little stressful because we didn't know what to expect. We were nervous but excited.... It's a feeling you can't really explain."

Prior to this birth mother, Ian and Michelle had spoken to multiple birth mothers but had never gotten this far. They received pictures of the baby from the birth mother's mom, who also kept them updated as they were making their way to the hospital.

When they finally arrived, they were able to meet their birth mother, her boyfriend, and her mother. "I cried and hugged her in what became a beautiful moment," stated Michelle. They then looked over and saw what was soon to be their beautiful baby girl. "Meeting our baby was surreal. We were both hesitant to get attached at first, in case things didn't work out, but we couldn't help but to fall in love," says Michelle.

Building Relationships and Looking Forward

Ian and Michelle chose an open adoption for several reasons. "We chose an open adoption for practical reasons—better adoption chances—but also because we wanted honesty from the beginning, especially in today's world. We still text with our birth mother monthly. And before we left, the grandmother invited us to dinner and gave us a wooden box with a family rosary—a treasure from our daughter's great-great-grandmother," stated Michelle. "I even suggested our birth mother write a letter we could give our daughter someday."

Ian and Michelle are very transparent about their journey and recognize that it was an emotional roller coaster at times. "Our advice to others: have patience, positivity, and be honest. Always put yourself in the birth mother's shoes and remember that some things are beyond your control."

This adoption journey not only brought Ian and Michelle their beautiful daughter, Gianna, but an extended family and a deeper understanding of love.

Andrew & MaryKate

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How it all began...

Finding the Right Path

When MaryKate and Andrew DeBoer welcomed their third son, they thought their family might be complete. But sometimes life has other plans. After experiencing complications during her third pregnancy, doctors warned MaryKate that future pregnancies could be risky. As their youngest son reached his first birthday, the couple began to have conversations about their family's future. "We just didn't feel like our family was done yet," MaryKate recalls. It was Andrew who first suggested adoption, opening a door to a path they would eventually embrace wholeheartedly.

The DeBoers conducted extensive research on adoption agencies, exploring both international and domestic options. The family was living in a state where only two adoption agencies operated and they wanted to cast a wider net. "We knew Angel Adoption worked with all 50 states, which was really important to us," Andrew explains. "We didn't want to limit our possibilities by only working locally."

After a phone interview with Liz at Angel Adoption in early 2021, the couple looked at each other and knew: "I think we have to do this."

The Emotional Journey Begins

Starting their adoption journey stirred a mix of emotions for the DeBoers. MaryKate admits she was nervous, particularly about how the dynamic between the expectant mother, adoptive parents, and child would work.

Andrew was more calm about it all and kept saying “It was in God's hands."

The couple appreciated how Angel Adoption broke down the process step by step, though the prospect of expectant mothers reviewing their profile was a bit overwhelming.

Surrounded by Support

The DeBoers' decision to adopt was met with tremendous support from their community. Their church family rallied around them, offering excitement and even financial gifts to help with adoption expenses.

On Andrew's side of the family, where there were already adopted family members, the news was received with immediate enthusiasm. MaryKate's family needed a little more time to understand the process.

"They had great intentions and were just being protective," MaryKate explains. "They wanted to know how everything worked, but they eventually came around completely."

The Moment of Truth

The call that changed their lives came after a considerable wait. Their baby was being born, but there were complications. The birth mother had been induced and was experiencing some challenges. Making matters more complex, the DeBoers were on an airplane when their son was born. When they arrived in the state of the birth mother, they learned their baby boy had been moved to a special care unit. They had to wait until the next day to meet him.

"The hospital staff knew who we were as the adoptive parents, which made things easier," Andrew remembers. "I was nervous going in, wondering about bonding and if it would happen naturally." But those concerns melted away instantly.

"As soon as I held him, he was mine," Andrew says simply. "All those worries about bonding just disappeared."

Building Beautiful Relationships

The DeBoers chose an open adoption. "I came to understand that open adoption is good for everyone involved," she explains. "It's been so nice to maintain that relationship."

Their relationship with the birth parents has evolved into something special. They communicate frequently and send pictures regularly.

"It's not awkward at all—it feels very natural," MaryKate shares. "We even visited the birth mother's family, which was one of the most amazing experiences. They've been so supportive of us as adoptive parents."

Overcoming Challenges

When asked about the biggest challenges of the adoption process, both MaryKate and Andrew say, "Waiting!"

For MaryKate, a natural planner, the uncertainty was particularly difficult. "The not knowing what would happen or when it would happen was hard," she admits. "Telling people we were adopting and then waiting with no news was challenging."

Their journey to adoption took three years in total. During that time, they even put their contract on hold temporarily to take care of family matters. There were moments of doubt when they asked themselves, "Do we keep going? Will this ever happen?"

Life as a Family of Six

One of the DeBoers' concerns was how their children, who were 10, 8, and 5 years old, would adjust when their new brother arrived.

"The love and bond between the siblings is awesome," MaryKate beams. "It feels so natural, which is something I'd want other families considering adoption to know."

Their son, Landen, has seamlessly become part of their family, creating his own special relationships with each of his older siblings.

Words of Wisdom

When asked what advice they would share with other adoptive parents, the DeBoers offer these insights:

"Don't have rigid expectations. Don't hold anything too tightly. You have to just go through the process as it unfolds," Andrew advises.

MaryKate adds, "Ask a lot of questions, both before and after placement. Stay open-minded throughout the entire journey."

Despite the challenges and the three-year wait, when asked if they would adopt again, their first response is an enthusiastic "Yes!" Though they acknowledge the ups and downs, the joy of welcoming Landen into their family has made every moment worthwhile.

The DeBoers' story is a testament to patience, faith, and the boundless capacity of the human heart to love. Their family may not have been formed in the way they initially expected, but their journey to finding each other was exactly as it was meant to be.

Damion & Romell

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How it all began...

Starting Our Journey

Fatherhood was always important to us. Early in our relationship, we were grateful to discover that we shared the same dream of building a family that included children. After getting married, we explored adoption, but decided to strengthen our financial foundation first. Our initial path led us to fostering children. While we enjoyed that experience, we ultimately knew that we wanted to grow our family through private adoption. When we finally felt prepared, we began researching our options. We joined Facebook groups where people shared their adoption journeys, and learned all we could from their experiences. Then came the challenge of finding an agency that would honor our values and embrace us as a gay, Christian couple. Angel Adoption stood out immediately—their website showcased numerous same-sex adoptive families. This representation spoke volumes about their inclusivity and aligned perfectly with our need for an agency where we could feel truly seen and accepted.

God’s Design

While our initial path to adoption was slow and steady, our journey once we officially began the process moved pretty quickly, but it wasn’t without some disappointment. We signed-on in May 2023 and felt so hopeful when our first connection with an expectant mother happened in October 2023. For three weeks, we built what we thought was the start of a promising relationship, only to have that connection end. Strong in our Christian faith and surrounded by an incredible support system - our loving “tribe” - we held on to hope and began again. Then, in January 2024, we received the message that ultimately changed our lives forever. An expectant mother, already 8 months pregnant, wanted to connect with us. She didn’t want to see other profiles or explore other families. Her choosing us felt spiritually orchestrated. Our first conversation went wonderfully - she was incredibly sweet - and with her due date just one month away, we were excited to get to know all we could about her.

An Early Arrival

Two weeks later, in the early morning hours, we received a call from the expectant mom saying, “Hey, he’s coming!”, which we found funny because the baby’s sex was unknown. She often referred to the baby as a boy, and it turned out she was right. With his surprising arrival 2 weeks early, we needed to take care of a couple matters at home, then we excitedly and nervously made the 8 hour drive to the hospital. The next morning, when we were allowed in to see him, his birth mom was holding him with tears streaming down her face. It was the most humbling situation and scary at the same time, because we’re thinking, “Now she's bonded with him. Is she going to change her mind?” But she immediately asked if we wanted to hold him. He was so small we thought we’d break him. We then spent the next few hours studying all his precious details and falling in love with him. His birth mom continued to show her selflessness as she allowed us to make all the important parental decisions regarding immunizations, circumcision, and his name - Cameron. It was definitely a bittersweet day. While our hearts overflowed with happiness to welcome our son into our lives, witnessing his birth mother’s emotional struggles and sadness was extremely difficult. We will forever hold her in our hearts and be grateful for this precious gift.

Home Life

Having just two weeks between our connection and Cameron’s birth, we were definitely underprepared for life with a newborn upon returning home. Everything happened so quickly. We really needed that extra two weeks, but it is what it is. Thankfully, our wonderful tribe of family, friends, and church community stepped up and tackled our baby registry. We all made it happen. Cameron, who is now an active, curious toddler with an immense love of music, is surrounded by so much love and continues to thrive with his tribe around him.

Have Faith

For families considering adoption, our advice would be to have patience and reasonable expectations surrounding the waiting process. Also, as disappointing as it is, sometimes connections don't work out, but just continue to trust the process. The baby that is intended for your family will come to you at precisely the right time.

Harris & Kara

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How it all began...

2nd Time Around

Not too long after having what we felt was an "easy" first adoption, we were ready to continue growing our family through adoption. Since our first adoption was not with Angel, we figured the second time around would be different, but we had no idea just how different. We started the journey hopeful and excited.

When we found Angel Adoption online, we quickly discovered that they were a good fit for us. Our wait was long. During the 27 months, we trusted in the process. But getting to that point was extremely difficult.

Thankfully, our family and friends were there to help support us throughout the process. They stayed engaged, making it easy to lean on them in times of need.

The Wait

To say the wait was challenging would be an understatement. The more time went on, the more hope we lost. Before we matched with our daughter's birth mother, we had just a single other opportunity and it was brief. We had given up almost all hope. For a while we even put our lives on hold, which made the wait seem even more lonely and difficult.

The Call

The day that Angel called us to let us know we had been chosen by an expectant mother, the world stood still. We dropped everything we were doing and focused on her and only her. Through a shared love for plants, and especially tulips, we built a foundation. From the beginning, we were committed. Communication was smooth and sometimes simple, but in the best way.

We were able to plan our travels and make it to our destination the night before the birth. That night we met some of the birth family for dinner. It was a beautiful moment and one we are still so honored to have as a close part of our journey. Over dinner we bonded and learned about things we had in common. What a way to start off!

Unfortunately, the hospital was full, so we were unable to have our own room. While the birth mother was being induced, we stayed in the waiting room. While it wasn't ideal, we were happy to be so close.

Love at First Sight

Meeting our daughter for the first time was love at first sight. An indescribable feeling, really. We noticed her beautiful dimples, just like her birth mother. Since we were only able to stay at an Airbnb, we visited the hospital nursery as often as we could until she was released. We were in the birth state for about two weeks, giving us just enough time to settle and, most importantly, see our daughter's birth mother once more before traveling home.

Keeping in touch monthly and sending yearly photo updates are just part of the continued communication we honor with our daughter's birth mother. We value our relationship and have even become Facebook friends. We try to honor our daughter’s birth mother the best way we can and will always have such admiration for her; a love meant to blossom.

Emily & Brooke

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How it all began...

Deciding to Adopt Again

After adopting our son Benson, we were absolutely over the moon. We loved our son so much but knew that our family wasn’t complete. We weren’t entirely sure how we wanted to grow our family but after the year long roller coaster adoption journey to our son we weren’t sure we would pursue adoption again. Truly we said we wouldn’t do it again. The journey was emotionally exhausting, even though it led to such a beautiful outcome. But as time went on and our son was 2 years old, we discussed every possible path forward—biological children, fostering, and adoption or an embryo with one of us carrying a baby, serrogacy, you name it—but none of those felt right. It was almost like we could control to much. With adoption we felt like we would get the child that was meant for us. Adoption was the only option that resonated with us, just as it had before. Our hearts kept leading us back to it, and we decided to take the plunge again, knowing this journey could be filled with both joy and sorrow.

Our previous experience with Angel Adoption when adopting our son went well, so we decided to go back to them. It felt like coming back to something familiar, something we trusted and had worked for us the first go around.

Starting the Journey

We were filled with excitement and nerves to begin the adoption journey again. Our families were excited but also surprised we were pursuing adoption again knowing what we had gone through the first time. Even though we had gone through the process before, we were somewhat naive about the timeline. Our son’s adoption was start to finish complete in a year. We had started with Angel in July and he was born the following June, so we’re thinking it may be a similar timeline the second go around. We dove right into the process for a second time with hopeful hearts, filled with dreams of completing our family. But this journey proved to be far more challenging and longer than we anticipated.

About five months into our journey, we received our first opportunity. We were excited but having been down this road before we were cautiously optimistic. After a few months the birth mother stopped responding and we assume decided to parent. We had done this before and knew this was possible, but the emotional blow was still hard. A few months later, another opportunity arose. This time, the birth mother had previously placed through Angel, and we felt especially hopeful. Unfortunately, she miscarried, and we found ourselves grieving not only the loss of the opportunity but also the loss she was experiencing.

The Struggles Along the Way

The following months were all over the place. We had multiple matches over the next few months. Had even met one birth mother and her spouse in person since they lived in our home state. Some birth mothers chose other families, another had miscarried again. The hardest one was about a year and a half into the process when an expectant mother gave birth, text to tell us she chose to parent, but then two weeks later called asking us to come get the baby saying she “couldn’t do it” and had almost left the baby at an infant drop box. Unfortunately the birth father got involved, stopping the process and ended up keeping the child.

When it was coming to the end of our 2 year contract with still no baby, we began to question it. Were we meant to adopt another child? Should be just be content with our son? Was that the lesson here? Was our family already complete as the three we were?

Despite the heartbreak, we kept going. After an extension to our contract at the 2 year mark, we received another opportunity. While speaking with that expectant mother we matched again. They were match 11 and 12. Yes, we talked to 12 expectant mothers in our journey. It was overwhelming and stressful, as we wanted to be fair to both expectant mothers. Our hearts were torn, and we wrestled with guilt and confusion over making such a significant decision. Ultimately, we trusted our instincts and chose to move forward with Collins' birth mother. I had my doubts but my spouse was sure that moving forward with Collins’ birth mother was the right choice. Turning down an expectant mother was one of the hardest decisions we ever had to make, but we trusted the process.

Meeting Our Daughter

The day of Collins' birth was nerve-wracking. Fortunately her birth mother was induced so we were able to meet in person and have dinner the night before. The next day we had all gone shopping together before heading to the hospital. It was a long night of waiting. I had gone to our room in the postpartum wing to rest while Brooke stayed in the room with her. Then around 5am the next morning Brooke came to get me saying it was time. We waited outside the room, our hearts pounding with anticipation and fear of the unknown. As soon as she was born her biological grandmother came out and hugged and congratulated us. We were all crying. After that we were invited in to see her. We were all in the room with Collins' birth mother, sharing that beautiful and emotional moment with her. It was incredibly humbling to witness her strength and courage firsthand.

Collins' birth mother was so calm and assured in her decision to place. We admired her bravery and compassion, recognizing that this was not an easy choice. We were able to visit with her during her hospital stay, and it felt so nice to all be together and have that time with one another. It felt like she was giving us not only her child but also a piece of her own heart, trusting us to provide the life she wanted for Collins.

Building a Relationship with Collins' Birth Mother

Our relationship with Collins' birth mother has continued. We stayed in touch through monthly updates during the first year, sharing photos, milestones, and messages of gratitude. Now, we check in with each other every couple of months. She follows us on social media and often likes or comments on the photos we share of Collins. This ongoing connection brings us peace, knowing that she feels included and reassured that Collins is loved and thriving.

Incredibly, we have great relationships with both of our children's birth mothers. They are each a part of our family's story, and we honor the role they have played in blessing us with our two beautiful children. We wouldn’t be the family we are today without them and they gave us something better than we could have ever imagined.

The Biggest Challenges

The waiting process this time was extremely challenging. We second-guessed ourselves more times than we could count. After experiencing so many heartbreaks, it was difficult to keep faith that everything would work out. But we were fortunate to have Benson and a big house renovation keeping us busy, and lifting our spirits along the way. The process was a test of our patience, resilience, and unwavering hope.

The best advice we can offer is to trust the process. Know that your child is out there, waiting to join your family. When the time is right, everything will fall into place, and all of the heartbreaks and waiting will make sense. The journey may not be easy, but when you hold your child for the first time, you'll understand that every step along the way was worth it. You will look back at your journey and see that it all fell into place when it was meant to.

Jessica & Michael

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How it all began...

Beginning Our Adoption Journey

Adoption was something we had always talked about, even back when we were dating. It was a shared dream that bonded us and something we felt called to pursue. However, the road to parenthood was not easy for us. After experiencing three heartbreaking miscarriages, our hearts ached. We wanted nothing more than to expand our family, but the grief of losing those pregnancies was overwhelming. During this difficult time, we were inspired by friends who had adopted through Angel Adoption. Their experience was so positive and their joy so genuine that it gave us hope. We reached out to Angel Adoption, and from the first conversation, we felt certain we were on the right path. The support, guidance, and warmth we received from the team reassured us that this was where we were meant to be.

Starting our adoption journey was exciting and nerve-wracking all at once. Our friends and family were so supportive, eager to learn more about adoption just like we were. Being the first ones in our family to adopt made it feel like a new adventure, but it also came with a lot of questions and unknowns. Yet through all the uncertainty, we felt surrounded by love and encouragement. We knew this journey wouldn't be easy, but our hearts were ready. We were ready to find the child meant to be ours.

The Emotional Roller Coaster

As we waited, we had a few opportunities early on, mostly for three-year-old boys. Unfortunately, the timing wasn't right. I was pregnant at the time, and as much as it hurt to say no, we trusted that the right opportunity would come. Tragically, we lost that pregnancy, which only added to the emotional turmoil we were already experiencing. Everything felt heavy, and we found ourselves questioning whether our dream of building a family would ever come true. The waiting was hard. The disappointment was harder. But we kept our faith and continued moving forward.

A Sign from Above

After 14 months of waiting, we received the call we had been praying for. Angel called us with an opportunity that seemed almost too perfect to believe. The call came on what would have been the due date of the daughter we had lost. It felt like a sign from God. When we shared this with Noah's birth mother, Emily, she was deeply moved. She said she felt like her decision to place her baby with us was meant to be. That moment solidified our bond with her. We continued building our relationship, exchanging messages, and getting to know each other. We found common ground that connected us even more deeply, and our appreciation for her bravery and kindness only grew stronger.

During a day date meant to take our minds off the waiting, Emily called to let us know she was in labor. We scrambled to pack our bags and caught the next available flight. On the plane, we decided we would name the baby Noah, a name that means "rest." It seemed fitting, given the comfort and peace he was already bringing to our family.

Meeting Noah

We arrived, expecting to stay for a few days, but our trip ended up lasting three weeks because Noah was in the NICU. The anxiety of not knowing how things would unfold was overwhelming. We prayed constantly for Emily's health and well-being, as well as for Noah's. Although we missed his birth, we believed that it was meant to be that way. Emily needed that private time with her best friend by her side, and we were grateful she had that support.

When we finally met Noah in the NICU, he was peaceful and sleeping. Seeing him for the first time was a moment of pure joy and relief. The nurses were kind enough to capture photos of our first meeting, which are something we will treasure forever. Holding him in our arms was a moment of healing and fulfillment. We were overwhelmed by gratitude, not only for Noah but also for Emily and her incredible bravery and compassion.

Since Noah's birth, we have continued to keep in touch with Emily. During the first year, we exchanged updates every month. Now, we reach out to each other every couple of months. She follows our journey on social media, likes our photos, and remains a part of Noah's life in a beautiful and meaningful way. We're also grateful that we had the chance to meet up with her in December and are looking forward to celebrating Noah's birthday with her in July. We are incredibly thankful for the bond we share with Emily, and we are committed to sharing everything and anything she wants to know as Noah grows up.

The Biggest Challenges

The most challenging part of this journey was letting go of what we thought our family would look like and embracing what it was meant to be. Adoption is a path full of uncertainty, but it's also filled with immense joy and purpose. Working through our grief and allowing ourselves to accept this journey for what it was brought us the greatest gift we could have ever imagined.

For anyone considering adoption, our advice is to seek out others who have been through the journey. The support and understanding of those who have walked this path before are invaluable. Trust the process, even when it's difficult. Your child is out there, waiting to become part of your family. And when it happens, every setback, every heartache, and every moment of doubt will be worth it.

Adriana & Bradley

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How it all began...

A Family Affair

As we started trying to grow our family and found that we were struggling to have biological children, adoption was the clear option for us. Adriana’s sister was adopted and Bradley’s brother adopted his son, so we felt comfortable exploring what the process would look like for us. Bradley’s brother had adopted with Angel Adoption and was always bragging about how great their experience was, so when we decided to start looking into adoption, we started with Angel. We immediately felt comfortable with them. Once we officially started the process, we were equally excited and nervous! We couldn’t believe that we were doing this.

It Only Takes One

As our wait stretched on without any opportunities, our excitement slowly turned to discouragement. We continued to remind ourselves that waiting was part of the process and did our best to keep the faith.

Finally, as we neared the two-year mark, we got THE call. Adriana works nights and was getting ready for bed when Angel reached out to let us know that an expectant mother had chosen our profile and wanted to talk to us. Adriana said yes immediately and then called Bradley to tell him the news. The expectant mother only lived a few hours from us and she was only in her first trimester. We knew if our communication went well and she liked us, we would be in it for the long haul.

We started by texting her. After some pleasant conversations, we set up a time to meet in person. We chose to meet at a halfway point between us and get lunch together. We were so nervous. We felt like this may be the most important moment of our life and we really wanted it to go well. Thankfully, our first meeting was wonderful, and we clicked!

From that point on, we started texting more regularly and got to know each other better as her pregnancy progressed. Given how close we lived to each other, Adriana was able to attend doctor’s appointments with the expectant mother during her second and third trimester, which was incredibly special. We were even able to have our own gender reveal party.

Even though we felt as though our relationship was stable and going well, there were times that the expectant mother would become less communicative and we worried that she was changing her mind. We had to remind ourselves to stay calm and that what was meant to happen would happen.

Meeting Brody

The Monday after Easter Sunday, Adriana, Bradley and the expectant mother attended a routine doctor’s appointment together. Through previous appointments, we were already preparing for her to likely deliver earlier than her due date, but this appointment changed everything. At this appointment, they found a concern with the baby’s heart and they wanted to admit the expectant mother immediately.

We left the doctor’s appointment and each ran home to grab some supplies. Then we headed back to the hospital so the expectant mother could be admitted. Adriana stayed with the expectant mother through the night while Bradley waited at home to hear what would come next.

Two days later, the expectant mother was induced. Late that evening, our son, Brody, was born! Adriana was able to be in the room for Brody’s birth. His birthmother was the first to hold him, then was quickly brought to the NICU, four days later Adriana held Brody for the first time. He would spend two weeks in the NICU strengthening his heart.

Getting Stronger in the NICU

Initially, it was very overwhelming to see Brody hooked up to everything in the NICU. Even with Adriana being a nurse herself, she felt scared. But we knew he was getting the best care possible and we trusted the medical team. Adriana spent every day in the NICU with Brody and provided regular updates to his birthmother on how well he was progressing. Bradley was able to come to the hospital between work hours and spent as much time as he could while Brody grew stronger.

While Brody was in the NICU, his birthmother met with the attorney to sign over her rights. It was the most agonizing day of our lives. We were pacing and waiting, pacing and waiting. Bradley was the one that finally saw the attorney coming to tell us the news. When we finally heard that she signed, we both wept in relief. We shared the news with our families and Adriana received a text from her dad that said, “Congratulations, mom!” That text in particular meant the world to her.

Our Family Today

At almost two weeks to the day from when we walked into the hospital, we finally left with Brody. It felt so good to drive those few hours home with our son. Once at home, settling into our lives and trying to establish a routine was harder than we imagined. Everything felt so big and scary without the hospital staff around, and after wishing and wanting for a child so badly, we felt guilty reaching out to ask for any help. Thankfully, we have amazing families who stepped up to make the transition so much easier for us. We are so proud of the family that we have become.

We have continued to provide Brody’s birthmother with updates and pictures. She has met up with Adriana and Bradley a few times to see Brody. We’re just going to continue to keep that door open for her. She made us a family, and we are so grateful for her every day.

Allison & Dillon

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How it all began...

How We Decided to Adopt a Baby

We always felt that adoption was something we were called to do. Even though we already had four wonderful children in our family, it just didn't quite feel like our family was complete yet.

The moment that solidified our decision to pursue adoption came when we were sorting through old clothes that had belonged to our son, intending to give them away. As we were doing so, I, Allison, unexpectedly started crying. I realized I wasn’t ready to close that chapter of our lives yet. That’s when we knew we were meant to adopt. We had so much love and space in our hearts for another child, and we were confident that adoption was the path for us.

We first learned about Angel Adoption from a family friend who had adopted with them. Their experience was so positive that we decided to set up a meeting and learn more.

Starting Our Adoption Journey

From the very first conversation with the staff at Angel, we felt at ease. They were supportive, knowledgeable, and understanding. They reassured us about the adoption process, which made us feel confident in our decision to move forward with them. Angel felt like the perfect fit for our family and the right partner to help us navigate our adoption journey.

When we began the process, we were filled with excitement and anticipation. Our close friends and family were just as excited as we were, although there was some hesitation from a few people who didn’t fully understand the adoption process. Some worried that something might happen that would cause us to lose the child after having bonded with them for years. But we knew exactly what adoption involved and had zero doubts. Our kids were incredibly supportive too—they would even say a prayer every night for their future brother or sister, which brought a lot of hope and faith into the process for all of us.

Shortly after starting the waiting period, we were chosen for an opportunity to adopt. That expectant mother ultimately chose to move forward with another family she felt more of a connection with. It was disappointing, but we didn’t lose hope.

Meeting Juliette

A few months later, we were chosen again, this time by an amazing expectant mother named Juliette. And that’s when everything changed. We talked with her every day and quickly became close friends. The bond we developed was truly special. We drove down to meet her before the baby was born, and it felt like visiting an old friend. While we were there, we accompanied her to an ultrasound appointment, which was such a meaningful experience. Leaving her to go back home afterward was tough, but we knew we’d see her again soon.

Unfortunately, Juliette had complications late in her pregnancy. We never learned exactly what she had, but we think it was preeclampsia. One night, we received a text from Juliette saying she was feeling very sick. After a call with her doctor, they decided to induce her labor in a few short days. With that news, we immediately made our travel plans and flew down to be with her as soon as possible.

A Surreal and Emotional Experience

We went to a hotel near the hospital and planned to get some rest while we waited for news. We were able to spend time with Juliette and her mother before she headed to the hospital to start her induction. Just after we started to fall asleep, we got a message telling us to come to the hospital right away!

We rushed to the hospital, and when Allison walked into Juliette’s room, the nurse said to Juliette, “Okay, Allison is here, you can push now!” It was such a surreal and emotional moment to be there for the birth of our son. I, Allison, will never forget when I asked Juliette if I could go see the baby. She looked at me and said, “Yes, you are his mom!” That moment will forever be etched in my heart.

We have an open adoption with Juliette, although she did tell us early on that communication from her might not be very frequent. This was the hardest thing she’s ever done, so we completely understand and respect that. We send her regular pictures and updates about our son, and whenever we do hear from her, she always thanks us. It’s important to us that Juliette knows how much our whole family loves and appreciates her. We all including our kids pray for her. We consider her a part of our family forever, which just goes to show how much love is involved in this beautiful journey.

Advice for Waiting Families

The waiting period was the hardest part for us. We experienced moments of doubt and wondered why we weren’t being chosen. Through it all, however, our kids had more faith than we did. Their unwavering belief helped us stay strong and reminded us that everything happens in its own time.

For other adoptive families, we would say to stay faithful and encouraged. The journey may be long and challenging at times, but it will work out the way it’s supposed to, and when it does, it’s worth every moment of waiting.

Christina & Wayne

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How it all began...

Embracing the Journey of Adoption

We had always dreamed of adopting a child. When we decided to start our family, we were faced with fertility issues. After several unsuccessful attempts with IUI and experiencing the heartbreak of pregnancy loss, we decided not to pursue more expensive and invasive fertility treatments. Instead, we turned our focus towards adoption, a path we had always felt strongly about.

We felt a mix of excitement and apprehension as we embarked on our adoption journey. We were eager to start this new chapter in our lives. Our friends and family were incredibly supportive of our decision to adopt. The encouragement and love that poured in from our close circle provided us with the strength and reassurance we needed to move forward.

Nervous Beginnings to a Heartfelt Connection

Shortly after beginning our adoption journey, we had our first conversation with an expectant mother. We were so nervous when we initially reached out to her, but we had great conversations through text over the next few weeks. We were feeling happy with the conversation but wouldn’t let ourselves get overly excited. We wanted to manage our expectations and we understood there were a lot of uncertainties we were facing through the process.

Responses from the expectant mother became sporadic, and eventually, we stopped hearing from her altogether. While we were disappointed, we knew this was normal and that inconsistent communication is often part of the adoption journey.

We continued to remain hopeful and lean into the waiting process when our coordinator at Angel reached out with some wonderful news: we had been chosen by another expectant mother! We were beyond excited to be singled out a second time, and so soon after our first opportunity! We reached out to the expectant mother right away and began a conversation.

The expectant mother was amazing! The connection we formed was immediate and heartfelt. We continued building a relationship with her and got to know eachother better. The expectant mother was due the very next week. The expectant mother was experiencing false labor contractions. This was the time her due date was pushed back by a month. Luckily, we did not have to wait that long; the very next week we received the exciting news, just two weeks after beginning our connection with the expectant mother.

A Father's Day to Remember

It was Father’s Day weekend, a Saturday. We had just finished setting up new patio furniture in our backyard and we were leaving the grocery store when we received a text from the expectant mother telling us she was in labor and on her way to the hospital. That moment was surreal. We were overwhelmed by a mix of anticipation, excitement, and nerves as we dropped everything and hurried to the hospital.

Meeting our baby for the first time was a dreamlike and emotional experience. The gender of the baby was a surprise to us, and we were completely overwhelmed with joy when a nurse came down and asked if we were ready to meet our baby girl.

Holding our daughter for the first time, we felt an instant and profound connection. We were completely wrapped up in the intense emotions that come from seeing your child for the first time. It was at that moment when our world felt complete. We could not have been more in love with this beautiful baby girl. All the setbacks leading up to her arrival was worth the wait!

How Trust Transformed Our Adoption Journey

We are so thankful for our daughter’s birthmother. Our relationship with her has gone very well! Our mutual respect and healthy communication allowed us to navigate the complexities of adoption with grace and understanding. Initially, she wanted a closed adoption with no contact after the birth. However, we had built such a strong, trusting, and supportive relationship with her throughout her pregnancy, that we ended up fostering an unexpected but very welcomed open adoption arrangement. This decision evolved naturally, and we are so grateful for the opportunity to remain in contact with her.

Through all of the ups and downs of our adoption journey, we were left with our biggest piece of advice for other adoptive parents going through this process: Trust your instincts and do not let external opinions or “adoption horror stories” affect your journey. Every adoption story is unique, and staying true to one's own path is crucial for a positive experience. Learning to release control and trust wholeheartedly that what is meant to be will be truly helped us float through the waves toward parenthood.

Through our journey, we found that the challenges and uncertainties of adoption were far outweighed by the joy and fulfillment of welcoming our beautiful baby girl into our lives. Our story is a testament to the power of hope, resilience, and love in the journey to parenthood.

Katie & Andrew

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How it all began...

Deciding to Adopt Again

After experiencing the joy of adopting our daughter through Angel Adoption, we knew in our hearts that we wanted to grow our family further. The bond we formed with the team at Angel during our first adoption journey was so strong that when it came time to add a sibling for our daughter, there was no question about where we’d turn. Working with Angel was such a positive and supportive experience the first time around, and we couldn’t wait to start the process with them again.

This time, we felt more prepared and excited, knowing the journey ahead would bring us another incredible blessing. Having been through adoption before, we felt a lot more at ease. There was a deep sense of comfort, and we truly believed that everything would unfold in its own time, just as it had before. Our family and friends were just as excited as we were, cheering us on as we embarked on the road to bringing home a new little one.

The Path to Oliver

Our journey to meet our son Oliver moved faster than we could have imagined. Just three weeks after we started the adoption process again, we were chosen by an expectant mother. The excitement we felt was indescribable! We eagerly texted her early in the morning, only to feel anxious when we didn’t hear back right away. It wasn’t until the next day that she responded, explaining that she was a night owl. That response set the tone for the relaxed and easy-going relationship we would eventually form with her.

We kept in touch regularly for about two and a half weeks, as she was already nearing her due date. The birthmother wanted us to be present during the delivery, and the idea of being in the room when our son was born filled us with joy and the best kind of anticipation.

She was scheduled to be induced a bit earlier than expected, so we quickly packed up our whole family—our parents, our daughter, and the two of us—and made the journey In to be there for the big day.

The next morning, we headed to the hospital and just a few hours later, Oliver was born. I had the honor of being the first to hold him, which was an unforgettable moment. Meeting Oliver for the first time, we were filled with an overwhelming mixture of excitement and concern. Unfortunately, he needed to spend some time in the NICU. We were, of course, worried about his health, and his birthmother shared those concerns. She signed the papers allowing us to visit Oliver in the NICU, which we appreciated.

During Oliver’s initial NICU stay, I stayed with the birthmother. We had the opportunity to talk and connect, which was something we hadn’t experienced during our first adoption. It was truly beautiful to share those moments and bond with her. Three days after his birth, Oliver’s birthmother officially signed over her parental rights. It was an emotional and profound experience, one that we’ll always hold close to our hearts.

Meeting Oliver & Beyond

Being present for Oliver’s birth made the experience so much more meaningful. It was incredible to witness his entry into the world and to share that special moment with his birthmother. Our relationship with her remains positive.We’ve created a shared drive where we upload pictures of Oliver so she can see how he’s growing. It’s been a beautiful way to maintain that connection, and we’re grateful for the bond we’ve built with her.

While the adoption process moved quickly for us, it wasn’t without its challenges. Between navigating state requirements and dealing with Oliver’s time in the NICU, there were moments of stress. But through it all, we kept faith in the process. The waiting period, though short, was filled with hope and anticipation.

Our advice to other adoptive parents is to keep your faith in the journey and remember the challenges that birthmothers face. It’s important to empathize with their experience. Understand that while it’s exciting to grow your family, it’s equally challenging for a birthmother to make such a difficult decision. Always approach the process with love, patience, and understanding. We’re so grateful for Oliver and for the incredible support we received throughout this journey.

Sara & Josh

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How it all began...

The Journey Begins: A Dream of Parenthood

We met in high school, and our bond grew stronger as the years passed. Even back then, we knew we wanted to start a family together. As high school sweethearts, we envisioned a home filled with love, laughter, and the pitter-patter of little feet. After being together for 17 years, the desire to become parents only deepened.

For a long time, we thought our path to parenthood would be the traditional route. However, after nearly 10 years of trying to conceive naturally without success, we began to consider other ways to fulfill our dream. Adoption had always been on our hearts; we felt called to it in a profound way. We believed that love makes a family, not just biology, and that we were meant to open our hearts and home to a child who needed us.

Choosing the Right Path: Why We Chose Angel Adoption

When we finally decided to pursue adoption, we knew it was important to choose an agency that resonated with our values and would support us throughout the process. We did extensive research on various adoption agencies, both locally and nationwide. Angel Adoption stood out to us from the beginning. Their website was filled with success stories that were heartwarming and encouraging.

The more we learned about Angel Adoption, the more we appreciated their approach. They offered hope and support to both waiting families and birthmothers, which aligned perfectly with our desire to create a loving and nurturing environment for our future child. We felt a sense of peace and confidence when we chose Angel Adoption, knowing they would be our partners in this life-changing journey.

The Waiting Game: A Test of Faith and Patience

As we embarked on our adoption journey, we were filled with hope and excitement. We prepared ourselves and our home, thinking that at any moment, we could receive the call that would change our lives forever. But as time passed, our anticipation turned into a long, quiet wait that tested our patience and faith.

The first year was full of eager preparation, but when there were no signs of progress, doubt began to creep in. The second year was even harder. We felt as if we were in limbo, with no communication from potential birthmothers. It was a time of deep reflection. We wondered if this was truly the path for us or if we had misunderstood our calling.

By the third year, We started asking God if we had somehow missed His plan for us. But then something changed within us. We realized we were trying to control the process too much, and it was time to surrender our desires to a higher power. We decided to place our trust in God, believing that if this was meant to be, it would happen in His perfect timing. It was then that God showed us a vision of us holding a little girl after we asked him if this was what he promised us.

This newfound peace carried us through the toughest days. We stopped trying to force the process and instead focused on living our lives with the faith that our child would come to us when the time was right. Six weeks later we would get a call for our little girl.

A Miracle in the Making: Meeting Our Daughter

Our journey took an unexpected and beautiful turn one afternoon while we were relaxing outside on our lunch break. We missed a call from Angel Adoption and immediately called them back, filled with excitement. The news we received was beyond anything we could have imagined: the birthmother and birthfather of a newborn baby girl had chosen our profile and wanted to speak with us.

Within hours, we went from relaxing in our hammock to making arrangements to travel to meet our daughter. She was born just four hours away from our home in Missouri, which made the logistics easier, but the emotional impact was overwhelming. We rushed to gather everything we would need for her and left early the next morning, our hearts full of hope and love.

When we arrived at the hospital, we were greeted by the birthmother, a beautiful and soft-spoken woman. The room was calm and filled with a quiet reverence as we met our daughter for the first time. Holding her in our arms was a moment of pure joy and awe. She was everything we had prayed for and more. The tears flowed freely as we realized our dream had finally come true.

A New Beginning: The Blessing of Adoption

The journey to adopt our daughter was long and filled with challenges, but every moment of waiting was worth it. Our relationship with the birthmother and birthfather is one of mutual admiration and respect. We are all united by our love for this precious little girl, and we are grateful every day for the role they played in bringing her into our lives.

The biggest challenge of our adoption journey was undoubtedly the wait. It was a time of uncertainty and doubt, but it also strengthened our faith. We learned that sometimes, the hardest journeys lead to the most beautiful destinations. Our faith in God was our anchor, and His promise kept us going through the difficult times.

Now that we are on the other side of the wait, we can say with certainty that adoption was the right path for us. We would absolutely adopt again. The love and joy our daughter has brought into our lives are immeasurable. She is a true blessing, and we know that she was meant to be with us all along.

To those who are still waiting, our advice is to hold on to hope and trust the process. It's easy to feel discouraged when things don't happen as quickly as you'd like, but remember that everything happens in its own time. Give your journey over to God, and He will guide you through it. The waiting may be hard, but the reward is beyond anything you can imagine. Your child is out there, and when the time is right, they will find their way to you.

Karen & Paul

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How it all began...

How We Decided to Adopt

After facing infertility issues, we explored several options to grow our family, including IVF and foster-to-adopt. The emotional and physical toll of infertility treatments was overwhelming, and we found ourselves continually drawn back to the idea of adoption.

Adoption had always been a possibility we considered. The thought of providing a loving home to a child in need resonated deeply with us. After thorough discussions and lots of soul searching, we knew deep down it was the right path for us. The decision brought us a sense of clarity and purpose and reinforced our desire to become parents.

Choosing Angel Adoption

Our decision to work with Angel Adoption was a result of our trust and familiarity with one of the company founders, Sharon Ahmann. Sharon is the mother of a close friend who had always spoken highly of Angel Adoption. Growing up around Sharon and hearing about her positive experiences with adoption made us feel confident in Angel’s ability to support us through this journey.

Our Emotional Journey

As we embarked on our adoption journey, we experienced all the highs and lows of an emotional rollercoaster. We were filled with excitement and hope, but also lots of uncertainty. While we were thrilled to take those first steps, we also felt overwhelmed by all the unknowns involved in the adoption process.

Adoption may be a concept that many people are aware of; however, few truly understand the complexities involved. Sharon’s constant reassurance to "trust the process" became our mantra, helping us stay grounded during challenging times. Our friends and family were incredibly supportive, eagerly anticipating the day we would become parents. They were so excited for us at times, we had to temper their enthusiasm as we navigated certain intricacies of the process. We didn’t want to get our hopes — or their hopes for that matter — up too high.

A Two-Year Wait

As we waited to be chosen, we tried our best to be patient while eagerly anticipating the call that would change our lives. For two years, we were not chosen by a birthmother. This also meant that we didn’t experience any disrupted adoption plans, which, in retrospect, was a blessing. Looking back, this waiting period, along with our need to trust the process, were the biggest challenges we faced, but the unwavering support from our family made a significant difference.

As we approached our two-year mark and received a contract extension, an immediate opportunity arose to adopt twins. The call came while Karen was at work. We had to travel to Michigan immediately.

Once we were there, we did not have any contact with the expectant mother for three days because she was not communicating with the adoption professionals. This added a layer of stress and uncertainty. At the same time, we understood that it was an emotional time for her as well, so we tried our best to patiently wait and see how everything would unfold.

Eventually, we were able to meet our babies. The relief we felt was indescribable. Despite their birthmother only signing a temporary consent form and the babies being in the NICU, we chose to meet and bond with them, believing that everything happens for a reason.

Our New Life

Meeting our babies for the first time was a mix of overwhelming joy and cautious optimism. Their birthmother had not yet relinquished her rights, and we still had to get through a revocation period, but we wanted to start loving our babies right away.

We were open to any level of post-placement communication, but we were thrilled when the birthmother ultimately decided she wanted an open adoption with us. We have maintained regular contact with her since, which has been a positive experience for everyone involved.

Adoption has brought immense joy and fulfillment to our lives, and we are open to the possibility of adopting again in the future! Our advice to other adoptive parents is to be patient, trust the journey, and lean on the support of loved ones. The wait is worth it. The reward of becoming a parent is wonderful beyond measure.

Sara & John

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How it all began...

Finding Our Way to Angel

We knew early in our relationship that having children was a shared goal of ours. Unfortunately, Sara was diagnosed with PCOS, so we were aware that it may be difficult to have biological children. After many fertility appointments, we hit a crossroads: did we want to pursue fertility treatments or look into adoption? Sara’s side of the family has a strong history of adoption, so we felt drawn to that path. Sara worked in physical therapy and the topic of adoption came up with one of her patients. They had recently adopted through Angel Adoption and recommended them, so we started our research there. After speaking with the folks at Angel, we felt like they were the best fit for our adoption journey and dove right in!

A Disheartening End

Not long after joining Angel’s program, our profile was selected for the first time. The expectant mother was early in her pregnancy, still in her first trimester. We were so excited to be chosen so soon and could not wait to start getting to know her. We found out that she had previously placed a child for adoption, so after starting to get to know her, we were feeling pretty confident. We were very quick to hire legal services when she was ready, which was right at the start of her second trimester.

After the attorneys got involved, tiny red flags started popping up, but they were nothing that caused us to walk away from her entirely. It was a lie here, an additional ask for money there – all things that we knew were considered “normal” in adoption. While Angel and the attorneys continued to support us, everyone was advising us to proceed with caution.

As we learned more about this expectant mother’s story, we really felt for her. After investing six months of our emotions and financial support for her, we felt it was important to see this connection through. One week before we were set to travel for the birth of the baby, we got to the point where we were no longer able to provide her with financial assistance. We informed her and the attorney and she stopped responding to us. She informed the attorney that she was going to move in with the birthfather and was no longer pursuing adoption. Thus, our first opportunity with the expectant mother came to an abrupt end.

Stepping Away

After that disruption, we felt defeated. Emotionally, financially, and mentally. We needed a reset. We chose to put our time with Angel on hold and agreed to touch base with them in three months. At the three month mark, we knew we were not ready to jump back in yet. We were still reeling from the disruption. We felt like if we started again and got chosen for a quick connection, we would still have a sour taste in our mouths. We wanted to be in a better place before resuming our journey.

Three months turned into one year, which turned into two, and then three. Finally, in talking with family and friends, it became clear to us that we were ready to start again. We reached out to Angel, renewed our home study, updated our profile, and resumed the process with a fresh outlook.

Playing the Long Game

We started the waiting game again. Like when we first began, we didn’t have to wait long before our profile was selected. When we got the call about that opportunity, it was eerily similar to our first opportunity. The expectant mother was early in her first trimester and wanted to start texting with us that same day. We carefully proceeded, hearts guarded, but after we began communicating with her, we realized that was where the similarities stopped.

This was her first pregnancy. She was in a serious relationship with the expectant father, so we started a group chat between the four of us. She was younger than our first expectant mother, but she was mature beyond her years. She was very mindful of our emotions throughout the process. For example, she didn’t want us to start working with an attorney until she was fully in her second trimester. It was never her burden to bear, but we were grateful that she was so considerate of us and how we were feeling. Anytime she visited the doctor, she would share with us the updates and the ultrasounds with the attorney to share with us, which we loved and appreciated.

A Test Run and a Visit

As we became more comfortable with each other and as her due date neared, the expectant parents asked if we would be open to visiting them before the baby was due to arrive. We immediately said yes and started planning a weekend trip. We used this visit as a test run of the drive we would take when the expectant mother went into labor. It was roughly a ten-hour trip and we mapped out good stopping spots along the way. Once we got to her hometown, we checked out the hospital that she planned to deliver at and took note of what all was nearby.

Then it was finally time to actually meet these amazing people we had been communicating with. We were both incredibly nervous, Sara was practically shaking. We had made arrangements to meet at a restaurant. We got there early and it honestly felt like we were waiting for a first date. When the expectant mother and father walked in, they immediately gave us hugs. Right away, it felt like a huge weight had been lifted. The visit was wonderful. We couldn’t believe how easy it all felt.

The Sweetest Lincoln

After our weekend with the expectant parents, we felt comfortable enough to share the news with friends and family. We were cautiously optimistic, but feeling good! We discussed baby names with the expectant parents. We shared with them that we loved James for a middle name, but were torn between three first names. All of us ended up liking the same first name the most, Lincoln, and with that, this sweet baby boy, already loved by so many, had a name: Lincoln James.

As we neared the expectant mother’s induction date, we were preparing for our trip. The expectant mother didn’t want to see us during the birth, but she did want us to be at the hospital for it and we were determined to make that happen. The day before we were scheduled to leave, we received a call that the expectant mother was headed to the ER — she felt dizzy and her blood pressure was through the roof. We could have just waited to see what happened, but we were determined to honor her wishes and be there for her. We left our dinner dishes in the sink, food and all, hopped in the car, and took off.

About three hours into our drive, the expectant mother called and said they were sending her home until her induction date. We stopped at a hotel to rest for the night and picked up our drive the following morning. We arrived that afternoon and checked into a local hotel. That evening, the expectant mother headed to the hospital and we stayed at the hotel. She didn’t want to see us while she labored, so we respected her wishes and gave her the privacy and space she needed.

Instant Love

Two very long days later, we finally checked into the hospital and were given our own private room. We still did not go see the birthmother because she was now in active labor, but we reassured her via text that we were right down the hall and ready to support her however and whenever she wanted us to.

Around 10am that evening, we went to sleep for the night. About 45 minutes later, a nurse came in to tell us to get some sleep while we could, because they were prepping the expectant mother for a C-section that was scheduled at 3am. We were so excited and nervous, there was no way we were going to be able to fall back to sleep! We tried to at least get some rest while we waited.

At 3:25am, the nurse came in to get us and took us to a receiving room. This was it, we were finally going to meet our son! John had to run to the restroom and as coincidence would have it, that’s right when the nurse brought Lincoln in to meet Sara for the first time. He was so tiny and Sara couldn’t believe how much love she immediately felt for him. She was talking to him when John returned. John was able to cut the remainder of the umbilical cord that the birthfather had cut first and Sara was able to spend a full hour of skin-to-skin contact with Lincoln. The hospital staff took such great care of us and Lincoln’s birthmother. We were offered everything that a biological family would be, and they were wonderful in respecting the birthmother’s wishes of keeping us separate.

We were discharged from the hospital 36 hours after Lincoln’s birth and stayed in his birth state for 10 days while the ICPC paperwork cleared. We had agreed not to reach out to his birthmother until she contacted us. Five days after the birth, she reached out to us, and we shared some photos with her. We have stayed in contact with her ever since, and share email updates with her every three months. We love how much she loves Lincoln and are forever grateful she gave us the opportunity to be Lincoln’s parents.

Pushing Through

After our first disruption, followed by a three year pause, it was hard to imagine there was a baby out there that was meant for us. We now know it was truly meant to happen the way it did and that Lincoln was the baby for our family the entire time. We were so close to giving up, and we are so thankful that we pushed on just a little bit longer. Without that little push, we would not have the family that we have today.

Kristopher & Antonia

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How it all began...

International vs. Domestic Adoption

We had talked about pursuing adoption to grow our family long before we were even married. Eventually, when the time felt right, we dove into the process. We started by looking into international adoption, specifically adopting a child from China. We chose an adoption agency and posted about our international adoption journey on Facebook. Having seen the post, one of our friends reached out to us and asked if we’d ever considered domestic adoption, a process that he and his wife had recently gone through.

We hadn’t seriously considered domestic adoption before, but it piqued our interest, so we started researching it. We couldn’t find a local agency that felt like a good fit, so we branched out and found Angel Adoption. After meeting with them and speaking with every referral on their list, we decided to shift our journey from international to domestic adoption and signed on with Angel.

Chosen so Quickly

Only months after completing our adoptive family profile and our home study, we were on vacation when we received a call from Angel. Our profile had been selected for the first time. We were blown away with how quickly it had all happened! We started speaking with the expectant mother and continued to do so on and off for two months. The attorney that we hired was absolutely wonderful in validating our fears, providing us with guidance and advice, and being a sounding board throughout the entire process.

As we got further into the process with this expectant mother, we started to feel uncomfortable with some of her requests, so after much deliberation we chose to walk away from our connection with her. We would never have predicted that it would be two full years before we were chosen again.

Unexpected Heartbreak

After two years of waiting and keeping ourselves distracted, we had a handful of adoption opportunities that didn’t pan out. We were starting to ask ourselves, “What’s next?” “Do we give up?” “Is this really meant for us?” Just as we were seriously considering giving up on the process, we received a call from Angel that an expectant mother had selected our profile, and she was due in just a few days!

We immediately started texting back and forth with her and had a great conversation; it felt like the perfect fit. We flew to Colorado and got there just in time to meet the baby. The birthmother chose not to meet us, but we had an opportunity to meet the birthfather and everything seemed like it was working out. We bonded with the sweetest baby boy in the hospital and when we were discharged, we headed to a nearby friend’s house to wait for the ICPC paperwork to be processed.

Just as we were settling in, our attorney called and told us the heartbreaking news that the birthparents had chosen to parent. We made the painful drive back to the attorney’s office and handed over the baby. It was awful. We were utterly devastated and shocked to our core. We returned home, our arms empty and hearts heavy.

Is This Really It?

As we grieved the loss of what we had thought was our son, we stood at a crossroads, unsure which way to go next. Our home study was about to expire, our contract with Angel was nearing its end, and we were feeling defeated. We debated, but ultimately our social worker convinced us to update our home study and fingerprints, just in case.

We completed all of the pieces to keep our home study up to date and headed to Hawaii for a wedding and some time away. Two days after the wedding, Kristopher received a call from an Illinois number. Being from Illinois himself, he was used to spam calls and ignored the call. When the same number called Antonia’s phone immediately afterward, she knew she had to answer — it was Angel! They told us that a baby boy had been born two days prior and we were chosen for the opportunity! We had one hour to decide if we wanted to move forward, but we didn’t need the full hour and immediately said yes!

It was a Friday, and Angel informed us there would be little movement with the case over the weekend, so we had some time to make our necessary travel arrangements. We were originally supposed to leave Hawaii over a week later, so we moved our departure flight up to that upcoming Wednesday and changed our destination to Illinois, where the birthmother was. Getting through those few extra days proved to be far too difficult. We were barely able to focus on anything else. After two sleepless nights, we knew we wouldn’t be able to rest until we were at the hospital. So we rescheduled our flights once again and left Hawaii on Sunday, a full week before we were originally supposed to.

Kristopher’s mom was still living in Illinois, which meant we had the perfect place to stay while we waited for our ICPC paperwork to clear. Before leaving Hawaii, we reached out to her and filled her in on the situation. She was thrilled and did a massive shopping trip for us getting all of the essential baby supplies while we were on a red eye to Illinois. When we landed, we headed straight to the hospital and met our son, Jack, for the very first time. He had arrived three weeks early and was in NICU, but he was the most precious baby we’d ever seen. His birthmother and birthfather chose not to meet him or us, and the birthmother had already been discharged from the hospital by the time we arrived. Jack was discharged from the hospital the next day, which also happened to be the day our home study would have expired if not for the serendipitous encouragement of our social worker. We brought Jack to Kristopher’s mom’s home, which was the same house Kristopher had come home to as a newborn.

Worth the Wait

Those first days with Jack were tough, not because he was a difficult baby, but emotionally. We were terrified to bond with him after having been hurt so deeply in the past, so we couldn’t help but guard our hearts. We went through the parenting motions until three days later. We got the call that the paperwork was signed and Jack was officially ours! We both burst into tears knowing that our long, emotional journey had all been worth it.

Everyone’s adoption journey is different, and ours is no exception. After working with multiple expectant mothers, many of whom we spoke with intimately and built relationships with, we ultimately ended up connecting with a birthmother who requested a closed adoption. The only contact we have is through a private Instagram account where we upload pictures of Jack every so often for his birthparents to see. Nevertheless, we are grateful from the bottom of our hearts for the selfless decision she and her partner made that day and that we have the opportunity to love Jack and share him with the world. We know he was the baby meant for us. We wouldn’t change a thing about the long wait or the heartache if it meant that Jack wouldn’t be our son.

Megan & Jordan

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How it all began...

An Unexpected Journey

We always knew we wanted to have a family, so we were thrilled when we were blessed with our son, August. After finding immense joy in parenthood, we started trying for additional children. The following year, we welcomed our daughter, Eleanor. Sadly, just a short 29 days after our daughter was born, she passed away unexpectedly. We were absolutely shattered.

Having multiple children was our dream, but we weren’t sure we would be able to get pregnant again. We started looking into both IVF and adoption and our research led us to Angel Adoption. We weren’t necessarily ready to adopt right away, but we were told placement could take anywhere from one to two years or more, so it felt right for us to start the process sooner rather than later. We joined Angel’s program about four months after losing Eleanor, and we prepared ourselves for a long journey.

A Destined Match

From day one, it felt as though Eleanor had a hand in our adoption. To our surprise, only two months after joining Angel’s program, our profile was selected by an expectant mother for the first and only time. We texted with her that evening. She was pregnant with a baby girl and she lived only an hour away from us. The expectant mother and the expectant father were making an adoption plan together, and despite being so young, they were both truly amazing.

After spending a month of texting every day with the expectant mother, we met her and the expectant father in person for lunch. Both August and Jordan’s mother (aka Grandma) joined us, and it was the best afternoon. Conversion flowed naturally. When it came time to leave, the expectant mother said that our time together really reaffirmed their decision to select us. When we asked what had initially drawn the two of them to us, she told us they had looked at a lot of profiles, but our story about Eleanor stood out to them. They also wanted their daughter to be raised with an adventurous spirit, and they thought we seemed like an adventurous family. That meant so much to us and we felt deeply honored to have been chosen by them.

Welcoming Evelyn

The expectant mother was due just after the new year, and although we weren’t sure she would make it to her due date, the doctor ended up scheduling an induction on the original due date.

Because of the scheduled induction and how close we lived, we were easily able to make it to the hospital for the birth. The expectant mother delivered via C-section, and she allowed us to wait in the recovery room where we’d eventually meet our newest family member. We finally welcomed our beautiful daughter, Evelyn, to the world just after she was born. She was absolutely perfect, and we were totally in love the moment we met her.

Family Time at the Hospital

Evelyn’s birthparents had requested she stay in their room with them. While this made us nervous that they may change their minds, we wanted to support their birth plan. After the tough year that we’d had, we still felt as though we were protecting ourselves. We spent the first three days visiting with Evelyn and her birthparents. As our visits with them got longer, they began to open up more and more about their lives and why they chose adoption. It made us feel so good that they trusted us enough to share their story and to place Evelyn with our family.

Four days after Evelyn was born, her birth parents signed their consents and we signed ours. On Evelyn’s last full day in the hospital, we spent the entire day with her and her birth parents as one big family. It was a truly special day that we’ll always hold near to our hearts. Evelyn’s birthmother had requested that we all leave the hospital together. While this was very emotional for all of us, we were so glad she suggested it. We gave lots of hugs and promises to stay in touch.

Our Completed Family

Our adoption journey went much quicker than we expected, but we wouldn’t change a thing. At times, we struggled with the guilt of moving forward so quickly after Eleanor passed away, but we know in our minds and our hearts that Eleanor brought us to Evelyn. Both of our daughters were meant to bless our family in their own special ways.

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