A young birthmother and her son met with the adoptive couple she had selected in the office of A Act of Love today. Both parties eagerly awaiting the arrival of “their” daughter, they shared the joy of possibly having a Christmas baby.
The birthmother, so ready to “be done” with the pregnancy described a Christmas day possibility as being “pretty cool” day for the baby to be born. The adoptive couple agreed but assured her that any day the baby chose to arrive would be the greatest day ever.
As open adoptions are now the normal rather than the exception, scenarios like this take place daily. Birthparents and adoptive parents begin bonding prior to the birth of the child and experience a love for each other that will continue on for a lifetime. The best part about open adoption is that the possibilities are endless. Another birthparent that is due the end of February, received a beautiful Christmas letter by email from her adoptive couple today. She was so thrilled and couldn’t wait to email them back.
Both birthparents have chosen their form of communication and have had the adoptive parents they selected agree to their wishes. Another birthmother that placed fourteen years ago, walked into Act of Love’s office this afternoon to see if there might be some mail in her file. She had moved quite frequently since the adoption took place and had been out of touch. When she was handed a large envelope containing photos that had been mailed over a number of years, she was thrilled! As she left the office she said, “Sharing these with my parents on Christmas Day is going to be the best gift they receive. It will make them so happy.”
It is a privilege for the staff of Act of Love Adoptions to witness these exchanges between those who share a common bond, a love for their child. It is a wonderful thing to know that these adoptions remain open and loving and special for all those involved. As the children grow, they often become more of an active participant in the openness. They can share experiences with their birthparents by personally emailing, writing a letter, calling, blogging, contacting through social media or meeting in person. There are so many options available for communicating now that it becomes much easier to remain close and share the events of life with each other.
As the holidays draw near there is usually an increase in activity in open adoption situations. There’s a need to connect and show gratitude to each other as the focus is on family. There is not an adoptive family that isn’t grateful to their unselfish birthparents for giving them the best gift ever. The gift of being able to become a parent and raise a child in love!