Expanding Love: Adopting a Second Child After Having a Biological One

For some families, the journey doesn't end with biological parenthood; it extends further into the realm of adoption. When parents who have a biological child choose adopting a second child, they embark on a unique path filled with both challenges and immeasurable joy. Navigating Emotions The decision to adopt a second child after having a [...]

Voices of Adoption: Stoneking Family

Join the Stoneking family as they discuss their adoption experience with Adoptions From The Heart. Adoptive parents Chad and Jelana, having navigated a largely smooth adoption process, encourage others to embrace the experience despite initial fears. Open conversations about adoption have been integral in fostering a positive environment for their daughter Mia, now 15, to [...]

Navigating the Hardships of Adoption: Stories from Adoptees

Adoption is a journey filled with joy, however, with joy comes loss. It's important to recognize that adoption also comes with inherent grief and hardships. No two adoption stories are the same, and each adoptee's experience is unique. At its core, adoption begins with the loss of one's biological family, heritage, and culture, and each [...]

Voices of Adoption: Donna Steacker

Follow along with Donna Steacker’s domestic adoption story of her two children, Hannah and LJ.  Adoption is a beautiful and unique way to build a family, but it often comes with its own set of challenges and heartwarming moments. Our adoption story is a testament to the power of love and the strength of family [...]

Growing Up in a Closed Adoption: Hannah Steacker

Adoption is a complex and deeply personal experience, with each story being unique in its own way.  Only 5% of United States adoptions are closed, meaning the adoptee has zero contact with the biological family. I’m Hannah Steacker, and I want to share my experience as an adoptee from a closed adoption, growing up alongside [...]

The Day Quinn came into Our Lives

My husband and I were placed with a beautiful baby girl through AFTH on November 2, 2016. After almost two and a half years of waiting we finally received a call for an emergency placement. We had less than 24 hours to travel to Philadelphia to meet our daughter Quinn. It was quite a whirlwind [...]

A Father’s Journey in International Adoption

George, Lorelei (wife/Mom), and Elena Runkle (Center) By George Runkle, assisted by Elena Svetlana Runkle As of the summer of 2001 we had, throughout the previous year, watched our oldest daughter graduate from college and get married, and were in the process of preparing for our other daughter’s senior year in high school. [...]