My adoption story is a little different, because it didn’t end in adoption…exactly.

I became a young, single, mother at 20 years old. A few years later I married the love of my life, my husband Eric. Together, we had a blended family with four beautiful children. Several years ago, with two of my children grown and out of the house, we got a call. We had been located as “kinship” to 3 babies, ages 1, 2, and 3, whom we had never met before. Turns out my husband’s family is huge and a brother’s ex-wife’s daughter (I’m not kidding) found herself in some trouble and her children were removed and in need of placement.

Without any expectation or preparation, my family and I took in these children as a kinship foster family. What was supposed to be 30 days turned into 3 years and we were eventually asked to adopt them. As much as we wanted to, we ultimately determined it was not safe for the well-being of the children.

But I believe all things happen for a reason. There was a couple we met through church friends who were looking to adopt a sibling set. They felt called to try to help in providing a home and family for siblings who would have otherwise been separated. After lots of merging and transitioning our two families, the couple eventually adopted our 3 littles. We went from foster mom and dad to “Nana” and “Tata” for the most amazing three kiddos who are absolutely thriving in their new family. I feel so blessed to have been a part of the most beautiful adoption story with the happiest ending.