Domestic Update
During 2011, 71 infants were released to forever families.
A Miracle from God
It’s fun to plan out our lives isn’t it? It gives us a sense of control. A sense of hope. A sense of fulfillment, if our plans succeed. Plans inspire us, ground us and provide that walkway of where to go next. We dream and plan about what kind of spouse we will marry, what occupation we may have, how many kids we would like, where to go on vacation, and where to buy a house.
But sometimes, our plans don’t come to fruition. Without us knowing, God sets into motion another perfect plan for our lives that may take years to develop. Michael, an emergency room doctor, and Nikki, an attorney, had big plans. High school sweethearts from a small town in Michigan’s Upper Pennisula, they had been a couple for 18 years and married for 12 1/2 years. And they desperately wanted a baby. They tried to conceive for eight years with no success. With fertility treatment options exhausted, they began researching the possibility of adoption. For being parents was still very much on their hearts.
Researching agencies online, they discovered Adoption Associates, Inc. (AAI). Knowing very little about the agency they started doing more research and asking around. They were surprised to find out that a few emergency room nurses who Michael worked with had used AAI. Then they discovered many couples from their area who were happy parents with adopted children from AAI. They wanted to know more.
In August 2010, with support from their family, Michael and Nikki attended their first AAI meeting and started the adoption process. Nikki said after that first meeting, things just clicked, and they knew two things. One, that AAI was the right adoption agency for them. And second, they wanted to provide a loving and caring family for a child born here in the United States.
Throughout the profile and home study, AAI was very encouraging and supportive. Nikki reports that, “AAI makes you check your life to see where you stand, what your values are and also prepare you for the future.” Through this process Michael and Nikki had come to the conclusion that they wanted to adopt a baby (and they were open to any race the child might be) and attended AAI’s transracial meetings. In January of 2011 they were placed on the list and began hoping. “AAI was realistic and honest. They didn’t “sugar-coat” anything. They had explained that it may take months or maybe longer to be matched with a baby. We were surprised when four months later we received the phone call!”
A boy had been born three days prior and was African American. His mom had contacted AAI on her own and the boy was now placed in host care. Michael and Nikki weren’t familiar with host care and were concerned. AAI explained that host care is actually beneficial for the child and for the birth mom. Michael and Nikki were able to go to the host family and visit their son. Their fears were relieved. The host family was providing a loving environment for their son. So, AAI began equipping Michael and Nikki with information they needed regarding taking their son home, learning about racial and cultural differences and providing for his needs including information on African American hair and body care which they didn’t know a lot about! The classes helped them embrace their son’s culture.
Looking back, their original plan for a baby looked quite different than the plan that actually unfolded; however, there are no regrets, only joy when it comes to their son. And on June 10, 2011, Amari Michael came home with his adoptive parents, Michael and Nikki. Amari was named by his birth mom and they decided to keep it. Appropriately, Amari means, “Miracle from God”, and that is just what this birth mom gave Michael and Nikki: their miracle, their blessing. God had a bigger, better plan all along.
“AAI helped change our lives, we are so grateful and had an awesome experience” - Nikki (adoptive mother)
