Happy Valentines Day, friends! I hope that your day is filled with love and laughter. I already spoiled myself with an early morning trip to Starbucks for some coffee. So, Happy Valentines Day to me! 😉

Since I started this blog, and really throughout my journey of infertility and loss, I have been asked my thoughts on adoption and if we would be open to adoption. I wanted to touch on that today.

On Valentines Day 2007, Reid and I were sitting at a romantic dinner, drinking wine, and chatting about life. We had been trying to get pregnant for almost a year at that point, and conversation turned to our infertility issues and struggles. My biggest goal in life had always been to be a mother. After a year of struggling with infertility, I started to not care how I got there, but I was going to be a mom. That Valentines Dinner so long ago, I brought up the subject of adoption. After a long conversation, we decided that if we had not gotten pregnant by the end of the year, we would seriously start researching adoption. I was pregnant less than a month later, and Harlan was born by the end of the year!

When we lost Sophie in June of 2017, I kind of went off the rails. My grief made me indescribably desperate. I felt like we had to have a baby IMMEDIATELY! And, if I couldn’t carry the baby, then my baby was out there somewhere waiting for me to come find him or her. I started researching adoption and talking with adoption counselors at local agencies. Sweet Reid sat beside me on this path, and let me do my thing. We lost another baby in November 2017, and it became clear that another baby wouldn’t fix me. Time would. And prayer.

That is the extent to my knowledge and experience with adoption. Not much at all. When people have asked me my thoughts, I always say that it is such a beautiful thing. And, I always direct people to the experts. So, here are the resources that I send to people. Please know that I AM NOT AN EXPERT in this field. I mean, my experience lies in a bottle of red wine at Valentines Day and a grief stricken time in my life. If you are reading this, and have some fabulous advice or resources, please share. I know that SO many women out there are walking the road towards adoption.

Gladney Center for Adoption

Gladney is an AMAZING organziation, and based in Fort Worth. Just down the street from Dallas. Years ago, I was invited to their annual fashion show to raise money for their organziation, and spent the entire time wiping away tears. The work these people do is just amazing, and they are a key part in putting together the most beautiful families. When we lost Sophie and I was full of grief, I called Gladney. I cried to the adoption counselor, and even though I am SURE she knew this research was my way of healing, she held my hand and walked me through the process and answered all of my questions. She was such a gift. Gladney is amazing. Click here to check them out!

Bravelove

A sweet friend started this organization, and I will just tell about this AWESOME movement with their tag line: A pro-adoption movement changing the perception of adoption by acknowledging birth moms for their brave decision.

I sat in this sweet friend’s backyard right after we lost Sophie and peppered her with questions about adoption. She was so kind, honest, and open. As is her organization. If you would like to research adoption, click here for their amazing resources available to you.

Books

On my journey, these three books have been recommended to me. I did not read any of them – full disclosure – but they come HIGHLY recommended by moms that have adopted. A quick Google search will tell you that there are MANY, MANY books out there on the subject of adoption, and told from many different angles.

Forever Mom: What to Expect When You’re Adopting

Encouragement for the Adoption and Parenting Journey: 52 Devotions and a Journal

Truly Yours: Wise Words on the Miracle of Adoption

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So, that is my short and sweet post on this Valentines Day. Again, I am not an expert in this field. I just know that adoption is a road that leads off of the infertility journey many, many times. And, it is a beautiful thing. However motherhood comes to you – its a miracle. Praying for all of you today. XO