Todd & Michelle with me

Dear Birthmother,

It was Todd & Michelle’s eyes that actually got me to look at their profile a little harder then I would have.  Then I saw that they both had a great family base and plenty of support to help them through the adoption.  They didn’t have any children at the time and I wanted to give somebody a chance to love my child that possibly would not be able to have any of their own.  I had gone through 2 big boxes of profiles for several months and narrowed it down to 10.  Then I got Jeff's (birthfather) help and narrowed it further as they were all very touching profiles.  Jeff narrowed it down to 5 and talked to my parents about Todd & Michelle’s profile standing out to him.  He asked my parents to have me really look at theirs.  I did.  I liked what I saw and when I tried to look at the other 4 profiles, I couldn't see them with my baby.  Todd & Michelle had everything that I couldn’t possibly provide for my son, a great family life, a great extended family on both sides, they were both Christian, Michelle was a teacher and Todd was a business owner that was successful.  They had both gone to college and had gone out into the world and enjoyed life before trying to adopt.  They knew each other well and it was obvious they loved each other.  Todd & Michelle both had super kind eyes and smile lines that told me they liked to laugh. 
    
When I first talked to Todd & Michelle on the phone they sounded so nice.  I couldn't imagine them saying anything mean to another soul.  I was truly excited to meet them. When they came too meet me for the first time and I looked into each of their faces I saw only kindness, I was truly happy and very relieved.  I felt like I was meeting with an extended part of a family that I didn't know I had.  I immediately felt close to them and was put at ease.  Then they met my parents and everyone got along great and had a wonderful time.  Jeff & I could not have chosen better if we tried.  I am truly happy and grateful they are Reese's forever mom and dad and love him as much as I do and could give him the life that I could not and that he deserves.  I love them. 

God Bless,

Dear Birthmother,

We are writing this letter to let you know of the experience that we have had with the adoptive parents of our first-born grandchild.  We as the grandparents feel that it is important that our feelings are put into words in order for us both to be able to express our thoughts in this matter.  Let us start out by saying we were asked by Todd and Michelle to write this letter in the hopes of them being selected as adoptive parents for another child to be welcomed into their family fold.

Grandfather’s View:
My wife and I were lucky to meet Todd and Michelle.  Our daughter and her then boyfriend were living together at the time.  Our daughter became pregnant and realized that she was neither mature enough nor desired to become a mother at that time in her life.  We, as future grandparents, were not happy with their decision to put our first-born baby grandchild up for adoption, but realized the relationship was breaking up and both our daughter and the baby’s father were both unprepared to raise this baby at that time.  Also at that time my health was not at a point where my wife and I could take on this huge task of raising our grandchild.  The realization that I may never have a chance to hold and play with, and watch my grandchild grow and develop was a very sobering reality. 

Grandmother’s View: 
I have worked as a Licensed Social Worker for the past 15 years.  In that time period I have become more knowledgeable about the adoption process and the several different outcomes a birth family may experience with adoptive families.   I was somewhat nervous about the thought of my grandchild being adopted and taken outside of the state we reside in.  A part of me was thinking that once this family takes our grandbaby we may never see or hear from them again.  Thank goodness that was not the case with Todd and Michelle and this adoption.  I have, since the first time I met Todd and Michelle had a comfortable feeling of their honestly and sincerity.  They informed us during the first initial contact that it was their intention to allow us to remain connected to our grand child as long as it was in his best interest.   I feel as if I did not lose a grandchild, but through this adoption with these wonderful people have gained an extended family.  They have welcomed us into their home for visits with Reese whenever we are in the area.  Though we are several states apart, they maintain contact through letters and pictures of his progress, growth and development, as well as of his birthday and special holidays.

Our daughter and her boyfriend selected Todd & Michelle to be the adoptive parents.  We were able to physically meet both Todd and Michelle before the birth of Reese and had several communications with them as well.  The birth of our grandson occurred in early January 2003 and Michelle & Todd took him home with them from the hospital.  In May 2003 (Mother’s Day) we received a letter written from Michelle informing us what the adoption has meant to her.  The contents of this letter gave me so much comfort at a time when I had started to doubt the adoption decision.  I would like to include a portion of that letter at the end of this letter so you will understand its meaning and how this letter comforted my wife and me.  This letter provided us with the reassurance that the adoption of our grandchild by Todd and Michelle was in his very best interest and we know he is where he should be.  They are such a wonderful family.

Sincerely Yours,

(Reese’s birth grandparents)

Letter written by Michelle to our family: 

“I feel compelled to write to wish you a Happy Mother’s Day.  I feel so blessed this coming Sunday and I owe my Mother’s Day to you, as you are the reason I am celebrating this May.  You are the reason I celebrate every day.  Reese is the light of my life; I love him with every fiber of my being.  I thank you for bringing him into this world safe and sound and then for choosing me to be his forever mom.  You loved and cared for him during his first 9 months and I’ll make sure he knows everyday how your actions show him love everyday for the rest of his life.  Thank you for being his beginning; I am honored to have been chosen for the rest.  I hope you are doing well.  May this letter find you in good health and happiness.”

Click here to learn more about us.
Click here to contact us, or call 1-800-923-6784 24 hours a day.