Dear Kathy,

As you celebrate this wonderful milestone, please know that our family is a family because of you. Your ‘act of love’ was starting Act of Love and, for that, my beautiful children and I will be eternally grateful.

As a single mom, my adoption journey was long and difficult: two and a half years – two devastating fall throughs. Then my adoption social worker suggested a Utah adoption agency she’d heard about from former clients. It was Act of Love Adoption Agency.

So I called and spoke to Carlene. She explained the process. I explained that I had lost a great deal both emotionally and financially during my other two situations, and I could not afford to put up any money prior to being matched with a birth mom. Carlene suggested I enroll in your Outreach program which required no fees upfront. This program seemed perfect. I could still be considered for adoption situations without the financial risk.

So as I began filling out the paperwork, I started looking at your website. There I saw a situation that seemed interesting, so I called the contact person, Jill. She was so sweet and understanding and shared her experience with adoption, which was, in some ways, similar to mine. That original situation turned out not to be for me, but then Jill mentioned a different one for me to consider. It was a 15 month old boy whose mom was making an adoption plan for him. Jill connected me with Tarilee, and the two of them allowed me to be presented to his birth mom. About a week later I received a call from Tarilee telling me that another family had been chosen to adopt that little boy. Despite being disappointed, I was touched that Tarilee would take the time to call when she could have just as easily sent an email. It was at that point when I hung up the phone that I knew – Act of Love was going to be the adoption agency that would help me become a mom.

About a week later, I saw a listing on your website for a birth mom due with twins in January. I immediately emailed Tarilee to see if that situation had a chance of making it to Outreach — and it did! I then asked if that birth mom would consider a single mom, and Tarilee checked with Laraine who said she might.. and that’s where the great part of our story begins.

On December 20th I gave them the go ahead to show my profile book, along with others, to the birth mom expecting twins. And on December 23rd, I received the call that changed my life forever. It was Laraine and Tarilee and Melissa and they had the best news possible — Sarah had chosen me. I was finally matched — I was going to be a mom to not one, but two babies! Two weeks later I was on a plane to Utah. That night I met Sarah and her dad along with several members of your staff. The next night I met you and was able to thank you in person.

And now, 11 magical months later, I want you to know that we think of you and your awesome staff everyday. My children are thriving! They have a wonderful world of family and friends who love them more than life itself. And I have two beautiful, amazing children thanks to your Act of Love. We can’t thank you enough for bringing out family together!

Happy 60th Birthday!