August 28, 2018

What Adoption Teaches Us

One of our favorite things about adoption is that it is a lifelong learning experience. We learn from our children, their birth families, ourselves, the world. The worlds it opens for us are constantly expanding.

Today we thought we’d share some of our favorite stories of lessons learned through adoption. They’ve inspired us, and we hope they inspired you.

Lesson: you may not be prepared for the challenge that awaits, but so much can be accomplished through love. This couple adopted a three year-old with no arms or legs, and they’re pretty honest about how unprepared they felt, but how deeply love has seen them through.

Lesson: Every adoption is completely different.

Lesson: Babies aren’t the only ones available for adoption. There is so much value and joy in exploring older child adoption as well. This father shares seven things he’s loved about the experience of adopting older children.

Lesson: Adoption is filled with unconditional love, from all sides.

Lesson: Adoption can happen at any time, in any place. “Tyler was placed in foster care due to parental neglect at the age of six, and had experienced three separate foster homes in the three years prior to meeting Marc and Robb. ‘We think of each situation he’s been through as a tool to help him navigate his adult life. His past does not define him,’ explains Marc. On December 10, 2009, Marc and Robb officially became the parents of Tyler, an event that felt a lifetime in the making. ‘He’s been a part of our family his entire life, it just took him a little while to get to us,’ Robb says.”

Lesson: Beautiful adoption stories aren’t just read, they’re watched!

Lesson: When you tell someone they’re going to be adopted, you may get this reaction. “The first night she moved in, she asked if she could call us mom and dad. The second day, she asked if she could stay forever.”

Lesson: A good adoption announcement is a major joy-maker.