A young mother of two small children in Arizona found herself pregnant and just about homeless. She had a nearby grandmother, but could only stay in her grandmother’s home for a few days and then would be put on the street. She was almost hopeless when she decided to look into adoption and placing her baby for adoption.

Looking through the phone book, she called many adoption agencies, hoping to find one that she felt comfortable enough to confide in. She called Utah based agency, A Act of Love Adoptions and learned all about how adoption works. She was pleased to find out how many options she had. She learned about open and closed adoption, and the requirements that adoptive parents must fulfill in order to adopt. She felt better after hearing about all the steps adoptive families have to go through to become

fully ready for adoption. Things like having a home study done by a licensed social worker, having background checks run through the FBI, and attendance at classes taught by adoption professionals and birthparents. Also, A Act of Love adoptive parents need to become CPR certified.

She also learned about the many choices birthparents have in making their adoption plans. They can request the counseling plan that best fits their needs; decide how open their adoption will be. Birthparents can visit or talk by Skype with adoptive couples during the selection process. After carefully considering all this information, she decided adoption would be the best thing for her. She then wrote a letter to the father of the baby — who was in prison a few hours away– and told him what she thought they should do. At first, he wrote her back saying he didn’t believe that adoption would be a good option. But, as they continued to correspond, he began to realize that with his inability to help her financially, physically or emotionally, adoption was the best choice.

So, they began to make plans. They completed all the necessary paperwork and submitted it to A Act of Love. They both decided that they would rather have a closed adoption and they would provide guidelines on the type of adoptive couple they would like, but wanted the agency staff to make the final selection. After placement, they decided they did not want any contact with the adoptive couple.

Act of Love staff worked with this birthmother to help her find the resources she needed for housing, transportation, food and schooling. She was very thorough in her follow through and did everything necessary to keep these benefits. She re-enrolled in her schooling as a medical assistant.

About a week before her due date, this birthmother went into labor. She had no transportation so she called a cab. The cab driver arrived and realizing the situation, he quickly took down the instructions and speedily arrived at her grandmother’s home where she put her sleepy children to bed. Running back to the cab, she noticed the driver getting a little nervous. During the 30 minute drive to the

hospital, her contractions worsened and she hoped they would make it. Apparently the cab driver was thinking the same thing because he began stepping on the gas! They arrived at the hospital and 20 minutes later a healthy baby girl was born!

Act of Love staff and the adoptive couple arrived in Arizona several hours later, after receiving the call from the birthmother that the baby had arrived. After talking with her counselor, the birthmother decided she would briefly like to say hello to the adoptive couple. They were very willing and grateful for this brief meeting. Hugs, tears of sadness and joy and expressions of gratitude were exchanged. All were grateful for each other!

As soon as she received the approval of her doctor, the birthmother left the hospital to go home and be with her two other children. She was filled with love for the baby she was placing and for the two little ones she was raising. Three days later, she met with the Arizona attorney and signed the adoption

paperwork. While still in prison, the birthfather also signed his paperwork, giving his consent to the adoption and relinquishing his rights. Both knew they were doing the best thing for everyone involved.

The birthmother went on to finish her medical assisting schooling and graduated four months later. She was hired by a doctor and is so grateful that she can now support her family on the income she makes from this job. The birthfather remains in prison and stays in contact with the birthmother.