My husband and I began our foster and adoption journey back in December 2011 with the dream of adopting. We were so nervous about the attachments, knowing it would be heartbreaking when a child we loved had to leave. Still, we felt called to open our home.
In March 2012, our son came to us straight from the hospital as a tiny newborn. Two years later, in September 2014, we finally got to make him ours forever. That day will always be one of the most special moments of our lives. He became our first and only child.
The following summer, on our way out of town, we received a call about a three month old baby girl. At first, we almost said no because we had no way to bring her home that night. The state worked it out, and the very next day she was placed in our arms. That was July 2015. Yesterday, we had the joy of celebrating her adoption and making her officially part of our family.
Over the years, we’ve had other placements too, but these two little ones became our forever. We’ve been foster parents for nearly six years now, and though the journey has brought tears, endless paperwork, moments of frustration, and complete exhaustion, we would do it all over again in a heartbeat.
Our children have siblings with other families, and we make sure they have strong relationships with them because we believe family connections are so important.
If I could give one piece of advice to anyone walking this path, it would be this. Do not give up. Even when it feels like no one is listening, even when the waiting feels impossible, even when hope seems far away. Keep going. Because in the end, it is worth it. We know it was for us.
Credit: Together We Rise