A Beautiful Adoption Journey

We showed up pretty early to the wedding and stood in the hallway waiting to be ushered in.

Eric ran into a friend of his and they started talking about basketball. They had played on a team together and for some reason his wife looked familiar. She started chatting with me.

You know Beth, right?

The bride at the wedding was named Beth, but my best friends name is Beth too. I assumed she was talking about the bride so I started explaining how I knew her through my husband. Eric chimed in and says “Angel, she’s talking about Beth…your best friend Beth.”

Little did I know, she worked with Beth and knew of me through her. Classic Angel move: ease into conversation by embarrassing myself.

We sat at their table at the reception. Eric went to grab some drinks and I asked for soda as I was pregnant with Knox. Inevitably they asked about my pregnancy and Nova and then shared with us their adoption journey. I immediately felt a mix of emotions…sad yet grateful sitting there carrying Knox as she longed to be a mom.

I sat there listening as tears welled up in my eyes. I was 15 when I was diagnosed with PCOS and was told I would probably never have children. This conversation evoked so many emotions from the last 15 years as I remembered flipping through the adoption pamphlet from our church. We had started research for our potential adoption journey 3 years prior. I read all of the stories, researched the best agencies and gave the journey to God. As I started writing our story for potential adoptive parents to read, I took a break. In the midst of that research and writing we became pregnant with Nova.

They, however, had a very different journey. Unexplained infertility and a promise that they would be parents to a newborn baby. They took off on a plane and were within days of holding their baby in their arms and the mother ultimately chose to embrace the responsibility of raising her child. They went home with empty arms, lots of questions and overwhelming emotions.

Photo Credit: Taylor Jane Photography

Hearing their story, immediately I felt connected to them. I felt invested in their journey. They were so in love with each other and so dedicated to God’s plan. Choosing to embark on a journey filled with unknowns and potential heart break was so selfless.

What they were doing for a baby they didn’t even know, and the path they were willing to walk to follow what God was asking them to do was inspiring.

Fast forward to today and they have a handsome 1 year old boy. He has brought so much love and joy to their lives they are now starting their adoption journey again, to grow their family once more.

Photo credit: Taylor Jane Photography

This journey is not simple. Once you take into account the financial aspects, it can be overwhelming. Therefore, they started a beautiful Etsy shop where they make bracelets stamped with a verse that has led them through this adoption journey.

Valentine’s Day left me stumped this year, but then I remembered these incredible bracelets.

Nova has wanted matching bracelets for a while and since she still likes to match me (please let this last forever ;)) I swooped up a couple matching ones to support their journey. I also surprised Eric with one and she threw in one for Mr. Knox as well.

I chose to have ours stamped with Romans 5:3 as it has been a verse that has helped me through sufferings we have faced in our life.

There is nothing like the joy I feel every day as a mom to my two babies. I feel so lucky and I believe that God calls us to create a community of love around every child he blesses earth with. I want every child to feel love like these two people offer, and I want to do anything I can to support their adoption journey.

Photo Credit: Taylor Jane Photography

If you feel called to do so, please visit their shop and support their adoption journey.

Valentines Day is about love and I pray this creates a ripple effect of love, and another baby finds a loving home right here with these two.

XO,

Angel