Dave and Stephanie spent years wanting to be parents, but when traditional methods were unsuccessful, they began to research the idea of adoption. “We instantly fell in love with the idea of open adoption! We were so excited by the idea that our child could know that he or she was placed for adoption out of love and his or her birth parents desire to give them a better life,” Stephanie explained. Open adoption would also allow their child to have the opportunity to learn the answers to questions like where they came from and who they look like as well as access to important medical information, which the couple viewed as a massive positive.

Their first meeting was very informative and useful for helping to set their expectations and let them know more about the process. “We were overwhelmed with all of the information, but we instantly connected with the social worker and found comfort in the fact that the agency would be there to guide us every step of the way.”

The most challenging part of the adoption journey for Dave and Stephanie was undoubtedly the wait. “Since the adoption process is so open-ended and there isn’t a hard end date, it is easy to become frustrated. It was about 2 years from when we made our first contact with the agency until we were placed with Adam.” That frustrated melted away the moment they met their son.

“We got the call from our social worker on a Friday when Adam was 2 days old, but we weren’t given the green light to travel to meet him for the first time until the following Monday. We were so nervous and so excited all weekend! Throughout everything, there has been no more special experience than holding him for the first time and knowing that our lifelong dream of becoming parents was finally becoming a reality.”

As Stephanie and Dave gather in the Camden county courthouse on Friday, November 20th for finalization on National Adoption Day, they reflect and think of the families beginning the process they did over two years ago. “The journey isn’t an easy one. It’s best to expect a long wait and live your life as you would if you weren’t on an adoption wait list. Continue to do the things you enjoy and appreciate the extra time you have before your baby arrives. Your life can literally change overnight like ours did! And most importantly, have faith and confidence in the process. It’s easy to become discouraged, but remember that the process does actually work, and you’re beautiful baby will come to you when the timing is right.”

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November is a month of thanks, giving, and also a celebration of adoption. Stephanie echoed the sentiment, “While we know that adoption will always be an important of Adam’s story, and we want to always celebrate that part of him, we just think of him as our beloved son and rarely even use the “adopted” adjective anymore.”