Terry and Jared always dreamed of becoming parents in their future. Adoption always seemed as though it was the best path to building their family. After receiving testimonials and feedback from friends who worked with Adoptions From The Heart (AFTH), the couple decided AFTH was the right agency for them to begin their adoption journey.
Adoption Journey
As an interracial couple, Terry and Jared were drawn to adopting a biracial child. “We talked a lot about it,” Jared shares. Their circle of friends includes other interracial families, providing a sense of connection, belonging, and support to help their child embrace their true identity. The couple also credits their extended family for offering affirmations of their child’s unique background.
The waiting period proved to be the most challenging part of their journey. “The unknown is the hardest part,” Terry admits, reflecting on the emotional rollercoaster of waiting and the disappointment of not being matched with a child right away. To cope, the couple focused on staying busy, which helped to ease the anxiety of the waiting process.
When the day finally came, after two months of waiting, Terry and Jared were overflowing with joy to be selected by a birthparent. “We were over the moon,” they recall, grateful to finally take the next step in their journey to parenthood. Jared offers heartfelt advice for others navigating the waiting process: “Try not to overthink and stop negative thought cycles before they spiral. It’s so easy to go down a black hole, but you will get to the point of being matched.”
Closing Thoughts
Jared notes in the interview that he was not prepared for the influx of emotions that he experienced on behalf of the birthparents. He specifically mentioned the courage, bravery and intense emotions one must feel when placing their child for adoption.
Terry and Jared’s stories are just one example of the resilience, hope, and love that define the adoption journey. Their experience reminds others to stay patient, trust the process, and look forward to the joy that comes when a family is built through Adoptions From The Heart.
