Our Adoption StoryCrystal & Nick

How did you decide to adopt a baby?

Adoption is something that was always on my heart, ever since the time I was a little girl. The church I attended worked closely with an orphanage and we always sponsored one or more kids until they were adopted. We were able to write letters and send gifts. I just remember it being such an amazing experience. During the beginning of my relationship with my husband, I shared this with him and he was completely on board. Little did we know that we would first experience fertility issues, which would then lead us to pursue this dream.

Why did you choose to work with Angel Adoption?

After researching many different agencies, Angel Adoption just fit us. We liked that they had a limited number of families they worked with so we wouldn’t get lost in the mix. We liked that we were able to build relationships with the staff who became like family to us. Also, their experience and compassion with infertility was also a big part why we felt so comfortable working with them.

What were you most excited about?

Holding our baby for the very first time!

How did your friends and family react to your decision to adopt?

Overwhelmingly supportive! They were so very excited for us and the potential to grow our family.

What was it like meeting your son’s birthmother for the first time?

We met the day our son was born in the hospital. It was the most amazing experience! She and the birthfather were just as excited and nervous to meet us! We thought that there was nothing that we could say or do that would express our overwhelming gratitude for their unbelievable sacrifice. Little did we know that they felt the same way about us! The connection we felt with both of them was so strong that it took us all by surprise!

Did you choose an open or closed adoption? How did you make that decision?

Ours is considered semi-open. We spoke at length, both by ourselves and with the birthparents, about hopes and dreams for this precious little one. We decided that updates through Facebook and occasional letters where what was best for this situation. Since that decision, we have texted several times during big events and we have even discussed possibly one day visiting again in person. I think we all underestimated how connected we would all feel.

Describe receiving the call that your baby was being born and traveling to meet him.

It was a Sunday night when the birthfather texted my husband to let us know that they were at the hospital and that we needed to start heading that way. The flood of emotions that followed was a mix of unbelievable euphoria and excitement, and then to nervousness about meeting the birthparents for the first time. We were hoping and praying that they would not change their mind. We finished packing, threw everything into the car, and make the long drive from Texas to Tennessee!

Describe the experience of finally meeting your baby.

Our son was born prior to our arrival and the birth parents had requested that the hospital provide us with a room next to theirs so we could stay with the baby. The birthfather met us in the parking garage of the hospital where he excitedly embraced us and asked if we were ready to meet our son! Before he escorted us up to the room. He paused in the hallway to get his camera out on his phone to video our reactions to meeting our son for the first time. When we walked into that room, our birthmom was sitting up in the bed with a beaming smile holding our son out to us! I do not know how I did not collapse with emotion as they laid him in my arms. He was the most unbelievably angelic and precious boy we had ever seen!

What is your relationship like with the birthmother?

We have a very good relationship with both birthparents. We communicate every couple of months by text or email and have even discussed a possible visit in the near future.

What were the biggest challenges of the adoption process?

Waiting to be chosen was the most difficult part for sure! Outside of that, opening ourselves up and exposing private details about our lives made us feel vulnerable during the home study and in the process of creating our profile.

Adopting a baby can be a lengthy process — how did you get through the wait?

We tried to stay busy by going on trips, doing things around the house, and reading. The wait felt like an eternity and flooded us with a roller coaster of emotions from month to month. But as everyone says, the wait was so worth it!

Would you adopt again? Why or why not?

Adopting again is not in our plan. During the process of the adoption of our son, we were approached by someone not affiliated with Angel asking if we would consider adopting a seven-year-old little girl. We began spending time with her and two months before our son was born we made the decision to pursue adopting her. Her adoption is now final and our hearts are full! We adore our two precious angels and cannot imagine our lives without either of them!

What advice do you have to share with other adoptive parents?

Relax and be patient with yourself! I remember having many hard days when I would feel like I had lost all hope of ever being chosen, and then I would feel guilty for feeling that way! It is a very emotionally taxing journey, and you have to be okay with the highs and lows. But just try not to stay in the lows too long or feel guilty when you do. It’s normal! Also, I would tend to over-analyze and criticize our profile thinking that if I changed one picture or reworded something that it would make all the difference. But once we were chosen, the birth parents told us that they were so overwhelmed with how perfect our lives appeared in our profile! So relax! The birth parents (or at least ours) aren't looking for perfect. They are looking for good, loving, honest, and down-to-earth people who will provide the life they dream of to their little one.