Dear Kathy,

Our adoption journey started in 2007. We began the process with another agency and we waited. And waited. And waited some more. Finally in March of 2010 we got the call we were anxiously waiting for. We had been chosen by a birthmother. We made phone calls to everyone we knew – everyone was so excited and happy for us. We couldn’t believe it. We were going to finally be parents! However, the next day, we got another phone call telling us the birthmother decided to keep the baby. To say we were crushed was an understatement. We had waited so long and now the opportunity we had waited for wouldn’t be given to us.
We were very disappointed, and struggled with what to do. We made the decision to part ways with the adoption agency. We began the next journey with A Act of Love in the fall of 2010. A colleague’s daughter knew someone at A Act of Love and gave us the information. After thinking things over, we started the process again with the hopes that maybe this time things would turn out better for us.

Within 2 months of having our paperwork in, we had already been presented with possible situations. We couldn’t believe the timing – this was something completely new to us because we’d only come close one time before this. Maybe things really would change this time around! We were told about another situation at the beginning of March, and on March 23rd, we got the call that would change our lives forever:
(From Kara’s journal) I got a phone call right before work but I didn’t answer my cell in time. I heard the little jingle letting me know a message was left and went into the hallway to hear the message. It was Jill from Act of Love and she wanted me to call her back. I called her back but couldn’t get through to her. About 15 minutes later I talked to her and she wanted to know if we still wanted to pursue the situation that had been presented to us. I told her yes and she told me she’d call me back with some updates. A little while later, Jill called again. She wanted to know if I could talk and if my husband was available. I told her he was at work and she told me she could call him and we could all talk together. So, she called him (and he NEVER answers his phone at work) and he answered! Jill told him who she was and that I was on the phone too, and then she said “Congratulations. Melissa picked you. He was born last night and weighed 6 pounds 1 ounce and was 18 ½ inches long! She wants to see you as soon as possible!”

What a whirlwind day and week, but one we will be forever grateful for! We were given a most precious gift and we were completely overjoyed. Wyatt has been such a blessing in our lives. We can’t remember what life was like before he joined our family. We are truly lucky to be his parents and even more grateful for the gift of adoption. Our journey doesn’t end there; we plan on starting the process again this fall!!

Thank you for helping us on our adoption journey!

Love,
Steve, Kara, & Wyatt