Adoption Story: Seth + Kelly

There is something so sacred about entering into a relationship with a family who chooses you to raise their little one. If we are honest, it should be. It is meant to be kept close and held so sweetly and delicately. Regardless of what that relationship looks like in the future, the moment she lets go and you hold close, a bond is set that is unable to be broken by the wildness of the world. This is what I think about as I sit and reflect on Seth and Kelly’s adoption story. They appreciate the sacredness, honor the sacrifice, and step into the gaps of brokenness to bring a bit of sweetness and light.

Kelly is an adoptee herself. Her story provides such a unique perspective on what love should look like in adoption. I had the honor of walking with them as they prayed, trusted, sacrificed, and loved so fiercely. They trusted God’s sovereignty in confusion. They deeply valued transparency and ethical standards. And they waited with grace- all with open hand and open hearts. That’s where joy is found in this process. They found that and more as they met the parents that chose them to raise their baby for forever. Experience the joy with them as you sit with their story!

The most impactful core memory we have ever experienced was meeting our son for the very first time. Absolutely nothing prepares you for that moment. Not my thirty plus years as an adoptee. Not the sixteen years praying for my future child’s birth mom, knowing one day I will adopt due to a childhood infertility diagnosis. Not the nine years Seth and I prayed together about adoption. Not the six years, praying to grow our family, including infertility treatments, miscarriages, and conversations about God’s plan for our family. Not the sixteen months being home study approved presenting time and again, adding new agencies along the way. Not the six days waiting in an Airbnb after driving all night when you get the call that “labor is imminent.” Not the twelve and a half hours of waiting and praying in the hospital waiting room with an incredible adoption support team as your child’s first Mama is laboring. Not the five minutes of praying in a hospital room, waiting to go meet your baby.

Nothing prepares you for the moment you walk into a hospital room, the Mama you have never met is sitting holding a small, newly born baby and says, “Do you want to meet your baby?” And with tears in your eyes, hands on your face in shock, you shake your head yes. And she asks, “do you want to hold your son?” And in that moment you learn you are a boy mom, you have a son, and you squeeze your husband’s hand so tight. Nothing prepares you for walking over to this beautiful and courageous woman and hearing her say, “Here, he is yours. This is your son.” I held this tiny bundle of love, with his bright eyes, head full of hair. Our precious answer to prayer is here and I am in disbelief. I even asked, “is this real?” because t truly felt even better than any dream.

We had never met or talked with our son’s first Mama before he was born. We knew of each other for less than two weeks. The whirlwind of those first few moments together are unimaginable. Every emotion goes through your soul. We are beyond thankful for the incredible relationship we have with our son’s first Mama and Daddy. We spent hours visiting with our son’s first parents at our Airbnb. We took pictures, shared stories, cried a lot, and prayed together. We text every day, call with updates after the pediatrician appointments, and catch up over Zoom. We are planning trips to see each other, and the first birthday invitation we mail will be to our son’s first parents. The love we have for each other came immediately and naturally, and the effort we put in to learning everything about each other is incredible. It is all for our son.

This has not always been an easy route, but it is the right one for our family. As an adoptee myself, this relationship for our son means everything. Our child is more than we ever prayed for and a completely open adoption with his first parents is not one many adoptive families would be comfortable with, but it is perfect for our family. 

Through our time with CAC, we leaned on MacKenzie for every single situation we received. We called, texted, and emailed. MacKenzie prayed for and with us. When our son’s story started unfolding and we received the call that we were chosen, our first text was to MacKenzie. She understands adoption. She was patient with us through all of our questions. She was thorough when we asked for support. She was caring, careful, and encouraging throughout our entire journey!

We received countless “not yet’s,” and while our journey to our son may never make sense on this side of Heaven, we can confidently say he was worth the wait. “Each day that I live, He gives more than I need. And I could never describe His goodness to me. If you ask how I make it day after day, there is only one thing I can say. It’s been a long journey, but I have been blessed. Walking with Jesus, I have no regrets. He is so good to me, and I must confess. The way has been long, but I’m blessed.” On this side of our adoption journey, this song plays on repeat in our minds. We will spend the rest of our lives praising the Lord for His goodness in our lives!  Our son is here through God’s guidance, love for our family, and plan for our lives. God is good, so good!