Our Adoption StoryIan & Michelle

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.