So much of the focus of adoption is placed on the family who is opening their home to a new child.  Everyone is elated to see these dreams come to fruition – and rightly so. 

Adoption is beautiful.

Adoption is also challenging.

For a baby to go home to an adopted family, that baby has to leave a mother’s arms.  These women are not doing this because they don’t care – but rather because they do care.  In many ways, they are making sacrifices that will last a lifetime.

From the beginning to discussions about Zoe’s House, we determined to care for expectant mothers for as long as they need our support.  That means our expectant mom hotline buzzes frequently with a check-in from a young woman whose baby may have been born and placed months ago.  They’re looking for a friendly voice belonging to someone who knows more of their story than almost anyone in their life.  They call for encouragement and even to share exciting news of their own about college, jobs, or a new person in their life.

We don’t just ‘do adoptions’.  We build relationships.

We hear stories.  We ask questions.  We learn what the dream of their heart is and do all we can to break down the barriers between them and that dream.  We may be working on an adoption process that will only take six months, but we are working with people who we want to be our friends forever.

Some months ago, we held a fundraising event in Kansas City.  I briefly shared the stage with a young woman who had made an adoption plan for her son last year.  She told of how she felt cared for before and after the birth and how for her, planning for adoption was a hard but ultimately a very good thing. She was now pursuing a college degree and even building a relationship with the wonderful parents of her son. 

Speaking of the woman who adopted her son, she said “I am his mother, but she is his mommy.  She has earned that.  And one day, I will be a mommy too, in my own time.”

I watched as tears rolled down the cheeks of many in the room – my staff included – as they honored her, felt a measure of her pain and joined her in celebration of her victories.   Adoption didn’t feel like a process.  It felt like a relationship.

I remember thinking, “This is how adoption should be.”

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Your financial gift helps Zoe’s House take care of expectant mothers as well as provide top quality service to adoptive families at a cost of about 1/3 of the national average.  If you would like to contribute, you can give your tax deductible gift here.