Dan and Kristen
Our journey began three years ago when we were faced with the unthinkable: infertility. There had never been a doubt in either of our minds that we wanted a family, and at that moment it seemed as if that dream was crushed. But with the support of Adoption Associates, that dream would not be crushed for long!
In June of 2005 we began researching and calling adoption agencies to try to begin the adoption process. After calling three other agencies, we finally reached Adoption Associates’ number. Most of the other agencies took five to ten minutes to briefly talk about the adoption process with us, but when we called Adoption Associates it was another story. We were on the phone for one hour with them getting all of our questions answered and just talking about what the adoption journey would be like. AAI took the time to really make sure we understood the process and had all of our questions answered. The next day we had a package in the mail with all of the information we had been given so we could look it over one more time. There was no question in our mind that we wanted to use Adoption Associates as our adoption agency.
With AAI’s guidance and the help of our caseworker, we began the process, and in August of 2005 we had a profile ready for birth mothers to look at. During our waiting process we received many phone calls of encouragement from our caseworker. She was always there to make sure we were okay and just listen as we needed. In August of 2006 we were at the point where we had to update our profile, and we began asking questions about other programs AAI offered. With the guidance of our caseworker and the staff of AAI, we soon joined the biracial program. Our caseworker led us through each step and made us feel very comfortable with our decision. Just three weeks later, we got our call: “We have a birth mother who has chosen you.” It was the most exciting day in our lives!
In September of 2006 we met our birth mother for the first time. This is a day we will never forget. From the moment we met her we had a bond that will never be broken. We spent three months getting to know her and her family and sharing our lives with one another. With each visit and phone call the bond grew stronger and stronger. We feel so much love for her. On December 10, 2006, our baby girl, Kennadi Jean, was born. We were able to be in the room to watch her birth and spent two days in the hospital with her and our birth mother bonding with one another. During this time AAI continued to be there for us, helping all of us through this time. Our birth mother’s caseworker had been there with us every step of the way for the prior three months. The day we were released from the hospital was a hard day, and we will never forget when our birth mother’s caseworker called with a scream of excitement on the phone to let us know of our court date. Her excitement showed just how much she really cared, as she knew how much we wanted to have our precious baby home for Christmas! Our baby girl joined our family just nine short days after she was born on December 19, 2006, right before Christmas!
Our adoption journey was an amazing experience. For the first time in three years we now understand why God chose this path for us. It was a journey that was unforgettable. We now have a beautiful little girl to love and cherish, and we have a bond with our birth mother that can never be broken. Knowing her and going through this journey has made us better people. Thank you, Adoption Associates, for making our dreams come true!
