At Funding Love, we seek to bring awareness to all corners of the adoption triad through sharing the real stories of the people we serve. We are so grateful to the birth moms that have chosen to share their stories, helping to end the stigmas surrounding this often overlooked, yet vital, entity of the adoption triad. The words written below are their own; real, raw, and unedited.
Meet Makena
“I am a Birth Mother of almost 7 years, I have a super open adoption with my Birth Son Mason and his family. I placed when I was a sophomore in high school (16 years-old). Adoption changed my life, honestly the adoptive parents I chose have been the most trustworthy and best role models in my life. My adoption story, and relationships I’ve made in the adoption community are the reason why I am who I am today, a Birth Mother and a Mother.”
Her Vacation Testimony
This was a perfect trip to meet, bond, and have fun with other birth moms!
Meet Renee
“In 2015 I became unexpectedly pregnant with my third child. The father was years younger than me and attempted to force me to have an abortion. Abortion was not an option for me. I was convinced that I could care for this baby along with my two other children. I was in school trying to graduate with an associates degree so I could further my career, but I figured if God had allowed this pregnancy then it must be His will for me to keep it and raise it despite how hard it would have been. My family was not accepting of my decision to parent my child and I was heartbroken. I felt like if I " gave my baby up" that I would be lazy and a failure. I called my grandmother in tears one afternoon, just looking for any support I could receive and I asked her " are you going to love this baby?" She kindly answered " of course, but I will feel sorry for it." That response hit me like a ton of bricks. I decided that day to call Bethany Christian Services to explore adoption. My best friend went with me to my meeting with my birth mother liaison. She explained all about how adoption had changed and how I had a huge part to play in the placing of my child. I decided then to place her. I called my family and they were 100% supportive of my decision. At 6 months I chose her wonderful family and they walked with me every step of the way for the rest of my pregnancy attending all my doctor's appointments and were there while I was in labor. My daughters mom was even with me during my emergency c-section. We continue to have a fabulous relationship to this day. We are all very close and they have welcomed me and my kids into their family. My beautiful daughter, Eloise, is a complete joy. She is almost six now and starts first grade this fall. She knows her story and embraces it. She loves her brother and sister so much. It was the hardest decision I ever made placing my daughter, but it is not one I would change for anything. So many doors were opened by the Lord when I decided to put her life before mine. A dear friend told me I gave her life twice, once in a physical way and twice by giving her a life I could have never imagined. Thank you all for allowing me to go on this trip, it means the world to me.”
Her Vacation Testimony
This trip was the highlight of my whole year. I loved getting to be a kid for a few days and being with a group of strong women who were like me. While Our stories were different they were the same at their core; we loved our babies enough to give them a better life. It was great to feel apart of a community. Funding love fulfilled one of my bucket list wishes: to visit Disney. I would have probably never gotten to go. Seeing Cinderella’s castle and riding rides was amazing, but the community I am now a member of is the gift of a lifetime.
Meet Brittany
“At first I was super excited about having the baby, but I stepped back and really looked at how the father of my unborn child was treating my own son compared to his 3 children and it was totally different. He treated mine great. His? Not so much. And I wasn't fair to them. Any of them. He said he wanted this baby, but never wanted the three he already had. In my eyes, that's just wrong. Just because they weren't planned and you didn't want them, doesn't mean they don't deserve all the love. And so that's when I decided it would be best to find a suitable family for my baby girl.”
Meet Michel
”As a young girl of 17, I found myself pregnant. In a small town of 10,000 people (and the daughter of two public school teachers) this was not a popular path. To place a baby up for adoption was even less common or acceptable of a choice. I faced overwhelming uncertainty while making the most difficult decision of my life. On the day of her birth, I marveled at her beauty. Then, I placed her with an amazing family, and she had a life that I could not have given her.
Years passed. I met an incredible man and married, bringing three more beautiful children into the world. I reunited with my first-born in her teen years, and our family began to blend, heal, and expand. As my children grew and became more independent, I felt that I had more to give to our community. My husband and I, both being nurses, decided to open our home to medically fragile infants in foster care. Before we pursued this, I asked my oldest child if she would be alright with this. It seemed ironic that I should give one child away and years later take other women’s children into my home. Per her miraculous attitude, she not only approved, but was excited to visit us, assist with the children, and serve as a big sister. In a ten-year period, we welcomed over 15 children into our home.
Fast forward to today, my children have all moved out on their own, found their own generous partners, and gave me three sweet grandchildren to spoil. The tiny baby girl that I gave away so many years ago is now a teacher, a wife, and an amazing mother of two beauties who were born in Thailand but found their home in her heart. Together, my daughter and I have experienced and humbly understand both sides of the adoption coin. She has shown me more grace, forgiveness, love, mercy, patience, faith, and sacrifice, than I deserve. We have both seen the wondrous range of challenge, love, devotion, and family.
This journey has not been without doubt, tears, joy, regret, fear, worry, laughter, shame, wonder, guilt, or pain. Our adoption story has transformed into an adoption legacy. What is uncommon and uncertain may be difficult to choose, but just because something is hard, doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t do it.”
Her Vacation Testimony
This Funding Love trip was so much more than a vacation and I will forever be grateful! This opportunity to form such great bonds with other amazing Birth Moms and not feel alone in the feelings only a Birth Mom has, has been incredible! It’s a great feeling to know that there are other women than can relate! All while experiencing the magic of Disney, laughing, talking, crying, eating and riding! Funding Love is definitely accomplishing the mission to create post adoption experiences that strengthen bonds, build community and restore people!
Meet Laura
“I placed my son 5 years ago into an open adoption. When I found out I was pregnant, I was in a place of extreme emotional instability due to trauma I had suppressed for years. So, I wanted to make an adoption plan so that my son could have a more stable environment to grow up in that I could not provide. So far, so great!”
Her Vacation Testimony
I loved the chance to meet other birth mothers from all over the country! The bonds we made as we compared stories and realized we weren’t alone in our struggles post placement was amazing! And all within Disney! It was so much more than I expected and I came in with high expectations!
Meet Karen
“I spent the summer before college living on an island, away from home. When I found myself pregnant, I knew I was not ready to be a parent and that I wanted my baby to grow up experiencing a better life than what I could give him at such a young age. So I connected with an adoption agency and began the search for what is now my sons parents! I have never regretted the decision I made, but I do regret not having a more open plan.”
Her Vacation Testimony
This Funding Love trip was so much more than a vacation and I will forever be grateful! This opportunity to form such great bonds with other amazing Birth Moms and not feel alone in the feelings only a Birth Mom has, has been incredible! It’s a great feeling to know that there are other women than can relate! All while experiencing the magic of Disney, laughing, talking, crying, eating and riding! Funding Love is definitely accomplishing the mission to create post adoption experiences that strengthen bonds, build community and restore people!
Meet Andrea
“My name is Andrea. I am a birth mom and also an adoptee. My birth mom was 19 when she made an adoption plan for me. I was 5 weeks old. She chose my mom, a single woman, to parent and raise me. I’ve always viewed adoption in a positive light and have had so much respect for my birth family. At the age of 18 I unexpectedly got pregnant. When I found out I was carrying a girl, I named her Rosie. I knew I wanted to make an adoption plan. I already had so much love for my daughter but I knew I wasn’t ready to parent just yet. And I knew that somewhere a family was ready. I began the adoption plan for my daughter in November and she was due in March. As January rolled around I returned to college from winter break and began new classes. I asked my social worker about looking at prospective parent packets because I wanted to be ready and prepared. I was told I had time to do that a little later so I held off. Well, as unplanned as my daughter was, so was her delivery. She was born at 32 weeks and just under 4 pounds. For the next three and a half weeks she was in the NICU where I had the opportunity to spend quality time with her. Those were the best days of my life. I loved every moment of getting to know her and care for her. During this time I finally got to look at packets of prospective parents. I immediately was drawn to one because she reminded me of my mom and myself. All I could think was that this was my daughters mom. I met her and again felt validated of my choice. Rosie went into interim care for a little over a week after being released from the hospital. I got to visit with her at her foster parents home a few more times before our entrustment ceremony when she went home with her mom. It wasn’t until later that I realized that I too was 19, Rosie was 5 weeks and I placed her with a single woman just like my birth mom had done. I have never regretted my choice to make an adoption plan for Rosie. That being said it was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. I’ve found so much support in my birth mom friends I’ve met through the years. And I receive validation and joy every time I get an update on Rosie’s adventures. Rosie is now 11 and enjoying life to the fullest (a lot of trips to Disney World)!”
Her Vacation Testimony
This trip was what I needed. It allowed for “me time”, self reflection, community, a break from day to day life and some FUN that has been long overdue because of a pandemic. You’d think that eight strangers traveling together would be somewhat chaotic, but it really wasn’t. We formed lasting bonds over this extra long weekend that I hope will last a lifetime.
Meet Haylee
“I have a very open Adoption. My daughter's parents are amazing, they are by far just as much my family as I am theirs. I don't really have a large support system.”