FLORIDA ADOPTION AGENCY — Josephine Series — Part 3 of 3 — HEART TO HEART ADOPTIONS
Choosing a Family and Finding Strength: How Josephine Made Her Adoption Plan
She locked the hotel room door where she had been adding towels for the next guest. For a moment she watched the Florida beach crawling with tourists and then made an important decision. She called Heart to Heart Adoptions in Gainesville, Florida. They immediately started providing help. One of the important thing for Josephine was the ability to look through family profiles until she found the right on. What happened next, and what her daughter showed her about herself.
She barricaded herself in the hotel room door and called the adoption agency
Two weeks after her positive pregnancy test, Josephine barricaded herself in a hotel room to called the Gainesville, Florida adoption agency. “I put the lock on so I could have privacy,” she explained. Though her coworkers were supportive and the father eager, Josephine felt adoption was best for the baby.
“Michelle from Heart to Heart answered. She was fantastic,” Josephine recalled. Right there, in the locked hotel room, Josephine completed the birth mother application using her phone.
How to choose the right adoptive family? And what does the wrong family look like?
After describing her hopes for a family, the agency sent options.
“One couple gave their kids crazy names. I didn’t want that for my girl,” Josephine laughed. But one file resonated. “They love my favorite holiday, have an older son – she’ll have a brother! The mother specializes in infant care. I know those early years shape personality.”
This family felt right. After a phone interview, Josephine loved them.
Although Josephine was content with her choice, a sense of guilt still lingered. “The hotel’s cleaning crew organized a shower for me. It was a bittersweet moment. These women were incredibly enthusiastic and eager to assist,” Josephine shared.
The kind-hearted women even went as far as purchasing a pricey stroller. As for the major items, Josephine decided to donate them to a nearby charity. However, she held on to the clothes as cherished mementos.
What does an adoption agency do for the final weeks before delivery?
“The nurses, staff and everyone was so supportive. Sharyn from the agency checked on me constantly. I never felt alone.”
Post-birth emotions were complex. “Sometimes watching TV, I think – you abandoned your baby. But I didn’t. This was her path, meant to be with this family. That doesn’t mean it isn’t agonizing, the hardest thing I’ll ever do. But a piece of me is with her. She showed me my own strength. Pregnant and alone, working crazy hours, I supported us both. I didn’t think I could, but I did. Because of her, I know what I can accomplish.”
Josephine treasures the open adoption. “I get to watch her grow, knowing she chose me to bring her into this world.” Her voice brims with bittersweet joy. Josephine’s difficult journey brought purpose and redemption.
→ Open adoption options in Florida
Questions About Choosing an Adoptive Family In Florida
How do I choose an adoptive family in Florida?
Heart to Heart had hundreds of families that have been interviewed and vetted psychologically, financially, legally and in every other way. You can see their family profiles. You can speak with them on the phone. Haley will find you families that fit what you want for your baby and for the kind of openness you want in the coming years.
What should I look for when choosing an adoptive family?
We don’t decide what you look for in a family. You get to decide what matters to you. Do you care about religion, lifestyle, other children in the home, location, how open they are to contact, shared interests, cultural background. There is no absolute list. You decide. One birth mother saw that a specific adoptive family loved Halloween. She also loved Halloween and that small connection blossomed into a lifetime of connection.
How quickly can I choose an adoptive family if I am late in my pregnancy?
As quickly as you need. In Josephine’s case, she chose a family within 48 hours. Heart to Heart can move as fast as you need. This mean some day matching if things are moving quickly.
Can I change my mind about the family I choose?
Yes, at any point before consent is signed you can change your mind about anything. If a family does not feel right, Heart to Heart Adoptions will help you find another family. There is no pressure and no penalty for changing your mind.
What happens in the weeks before delivery?
Heart to Heart Adoption follows state law in the kind of help and support they can provide for you. This usually includes help with housing, medical care, hospital planning, and finalizing your adoption plan. You will know exactly what to expect on delivery day, including who will be there and when the adoptive family arrives.
What does grief after adoption feel like?
There is no absolute for everyone. There is no absolute over the days and weeks following placing a baby for adoption. Every woman’s experience is different. Some feel peace quickly. Others carry grief for months or years, usually around birthdays and milestones. Post-placement counseling continues at no cost for as long as you need it.
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Reviewed by licensed adoption professionals at Heart to Heart Adoptions.
Wendy Knowles, Birth Parent Support Specialist
Michelle Barrus, Birth Parent Support Specialist
Jodi Grizzle, LCSW
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