Adoption Agency | Adoptions From The Heart

AFTH adoption triads finally reunite in Virginia after an unprecedented year.

Adoptee, Jonathan, embraces his birth mother Samantha

The pandemic stopped many of our beloved traditions as families, friends, and even an adoption agency. To protect one another from sickness, we postponed or canceled gatherings, including our summer picnics.

Adoptions From The Heart’s Annual Picnic

Adoptions From The Heart hosts an agency-wide picnic each summer at a local park. Filled with food, games, music, and laughter, the picnic serves as a reminder of the unbreakable bond made possible through open adoptions. Regrettably, due to restrictions at parks, we decided to cancel our agency-wide picnic.

That did not stop AFTH from providing a space for birth parent visits. Along with each office at AFTH, Virginia hosted smaller picnics so adoption triads could visit together once again. The goal was to service triads whose visits were impacted by the pandemic.

All smiles for Michael (BF), Sharon (BM), Jason (AP), Maddie (adopted child), Mila (adopted child), and Matthew (AP) during their birth parent visit.

Adoption Triad Reunions at Fun Forest Park in Chesapeake

In July, our Virginia office hosted meaningful adoption triad reunions at Fun Forest Park in Chesapeake, VA. Five families attended, and although it differed from the picnics in the past, lasting memories were made by all attendees.

Adoption triads look forward to the picnic every summer as an opportunity to be with family and the adoption community. Social workers and adoption professionals rejoice in watching triads interact and form relationships. There is love and support lying in the adoption community for every sector of the adoption triad, evident at the picnic.

The picnic was only open to families that reserved a spot with the Virginia office to ensure the event fit park regulations. Including an RSVP allowed the event to continue bringing families together while following social distancing protocol.

Birth mother Ellen (middle) with her three children (one birth child placed, youngest) and adoptive parents Patrik & Cheryl enjoying time together at the park.

Recap: A Beautiful Day for Families

Sunshine and afternoon showers kept the five triads in attendance on their toes. Most of the day, families enjoyed sunny skies, conversation, and games. Determined to keep the day cheerful even as the rain came, families banned together under the pavilion to continue their visits. Bubbles kept the children busy as the reunions continued.

Adoptees play together, popping and blowing bubbles during a rain storm at the reunion.

AFTH social worker, Katie Neil, went to the picnic and described the unwavering love and commitment among the adoption triads. “It was amazing to see the connections and openness between adoptive families and birth families despite it being in times of COVID. Many families are hopeful that next year will be a bigger picnic like we have had in the past.”

Image of adoption triad and extended family posing together.

Teresa (birth grandmother in the middle), Rob and Kristin (AP’s on the right), with a mix of birth and adoptive siblings.

Why are Birth Parent Visits so Important?

In an open adoption, birth parent visits create an opportunity for the adoption triad to spend time together. Birth parents spend precious time with their child and their adopted parents. In many cases, birth parent visits provide peace and reassurance in a birth mother’s decision to place her child for adoption. So, it is so important to continue to have these visits.

Katie explains why as a social worker, birth parent visits are essential, “Visits are so important to keep openness and communication active. It helps families and the adoptees see their roots and feel more comfortable asking questions they may have.”