Adoption is one of the strongest forms of love and connection. It helps build families and hearts. Adoption creates families built on choice, care, and commitment. Every adoption story is different, but they all share one truth: family is about belonging, not blood.
My family began through adoption after years of trying to have a baby. When it started to feel hopeless, we decided to look into adoption. We researched agencies, took parenting and adoption classes, and two and a half years later, we were matched with our son’s birth mom. Six months after his birth, the adoption was finalized. It was a long, hard journey, but so worth it.
About Adoption:
While adoption is the legal process of creating a family when a child’s biological parents cannot care for them, it is more than paperwork. It is a deep, emotional experience. Adoption means opening your heart and home to someone new and learning that love does not have limits.
For us, adoption came after years of thinking, preparing, and hoping. For children, it can mean love, safety, and a chance to grow. For birth parents, it can be a brave act of love, giving their child opportunities they might not be able to provide.
Types of Adoption
There are several kinds of adoption, each with its own experiences:
Domestic Adoption: When both the adoptive parents and child live in the same country.
International Adoption: Adopting a child from another country, often adding cultural learning to the family.
Foster Care Adoption: When a child in the foster system finds a forever home.
- Open vs. Closed Adoption: Open adoptions allow some contact between birth and adoptive families, while closed adoptions keep identities private.
My husband and I chose domestic adoption, hoping to stay in the same state and have an open relationship with our child’s birth family. We were lucky because we still see and support each other today.
The Emotional Journey
Adoption is not just legal. It is emotional. Every story is unique. Some families wait years, while others adopt through foster care. We waited two and a half years and faced many challenges along the way.
We adopted our son at birth, but some families adopt older children. Everyone involved has their own feelings, and it is important to talk about them openly. Support groups, counseling, and honest conversations help families heal and grow.
Celebrating Adoption
Each November, National Adoption Month honors the beauty of adoption. In our home, we celebrate our son’s adoption day every year. We talk openly about his story and make sure he knows how special it is.
If you have ever thought about adoption, know that it takes patience and an open heart, but it brings incredible joy. Families like mine prove that love creates family.
In the end, adoption is a story of hope and a reminder that families are not just born. They are built through love.
About the Author:
Taylor Carmack holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design, complemented by a minor in Dance from The University of Akron. With over a decade of professional experience in the vibrant Cleveland scene, she now channels her expertise into cultivating engaging social media content and fostering meaningful interactions as an esteemed Parent Ambassador of Cuyahoga Parents Connect at Bright Beginnings. Taylor's creative flair shines through her captivating graphic designs for Instagram, while her passion for dance extends to enriching local dance communities through education. Balancing her career with motherhood, Taylor brings a firsthand understanding of the trials and triumphs that come with being a working mom, adding depth and empathy to her endeavors.