Brian and Stephanie's story
Our adoption story is a journey filled with many emotions much like other adoptive couples. We tried and tried to become pregnant. After my husband had surgery, many months of medication, and other treatments, we turned to adoption, not as a last choice but the beginning of an incredible journey to our family! We were filled with excitement and anticipation! Four months after becoming active with Adoption Support Center, we found out we were expecting. What great unexpected news! All the ladies at ASC were just as thrilled as we were. One thing you will realize right away is that your family goals are their family goals! I have always been passionate about adoption, so we just put ourselves on "hold" knowing one day we would be back to adopt through ASC.

The pregnancy was very difficult and ended with our daughter being stillborn just three days before our due date. What a terrible loss and pain to deal with. Shortly after our daughter passing, we called ASC to become active again. I was filled with anxiety making the call...would they think we were ready to move forward...would they think it is too soon? One of the women answered the phone and let me tell her our whole story. I never felt rushed. She just listened quietly. I remember clearly her saying we could become active again and we chatted about how the agency felt like our hope when we felt so hopeless! Yes, that was it...hope. That is exactly what we needed!!! I don't tell the sad details of our story looking for sympathy, but only hoping to encourage you to never give up on your dream of becoming a family. It will happen!

I remember clearly getting a call from our case-worker while driving to work one day. It was only about a month after becoming active. I could tell by tone in her voice that she had some exciting news! I said "Wait, I have to pull the car over before I wreck." There was a birth mom interested in us and was ready to meet us! I couldn't dial my husband's work number quick enough to share the news! I smiled all day that day! We made all the arrangements to meet. The first meeting was very comfortable. I know that it went so smoothly because the ladies at ASC prepare you completely for the entire journey. The education and support they offer to both the adoptive couple and the birth mom/couple is incredible! You will never meet another group of women that are so passionate about creating families. They are simply amazing.

After meeting our birth mom, she agreed to move forward with placing her baby with us. Our birth mom was already in her seventh month of pregnancy. We were very blessed in the fact we got to attend the few doctor visits and start to build our bond. Just about 45 days later, our baby boy was born. Our stay at the hospital was comfortable. Of course, we were a little nervous, but it really went smooth. We actually had dinner and spent time with our birth mom and baby in the same hospital room. It was nice to be able to learn more about each other. The quiet moments I had with her, just Mommy-to-Mommy, are memories I will treasure for a lifetime. She was strong, selfless, confident, and brave, making the decision to allow us to parent this perfect wonderful little baby boy! We continue to write and send pictures to her so that she knows he is happy, healthy, and very loved.

Part of our journey was very sad and we may never understand it. When going through your journey to becoming a family please always keep in mind that you will get the baby you are meant to raise. The minute we laid eyes on this tiny baby boy we have never been more certain of anything in our lives...he was supposed to be ours! He was meant just for us. It is a feeling that is so incredible you can't even put it into words!
We are a family!