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Open Adoption Story: A Birth Mother, an Adoptive Family, and a Baby Who Was Never Supposed to Exist
The day Jessica carried her newborn daughter into the Heart to Heart Adoptions office, she wasn’t just bringing a baby to meet her new adoptive parents. She was fulfilling a dream for both mothers. She was bringing hope for both mothers. She was exhibiting courage bringing courage. She was bringing two stories of love into the same room, ready to intertwine.
The First Hello: Two Mothers Meet in the Heart to Heart Office
The two mothers tearfully hugged in greeting, even before Haley glanced toward the pink-wrapped infant.
The two mothers tearfully hugged in greeting, even before Haley glanced toward the pink-wrapped infant.
After four long years of waiting for a child, Haley’s first instinct wasn’t to reach for the baby. Her first instinct was to embrace Jessica. Two women, strangers but not strangers, smiling through tears as they hugged again.
Eventually, Jessica stepped back and motioned toward the infant carrier.
“Here she is.”
Haley leaned close, studying the sleeping child. She gently ran a finger down one soft cheek before asking permission to pick her up.
“Yes,” Jessica laughed, wiping another tear. “She’s your little girl.”
Haley gathered the baby into her arms, then instinctively hugged Jessica once more.
“My Miracle Is Your Miracle”: A NICU Baby and a Birth Mother’s Confession
While Haley rocked the baby, Jessica explained quietly that she was never supposed to get pregnant. Too many physical complications. Too many reasons it shouldn’t have happened.
“My miracle is your miracle,” she said.
She cried again as she apologized for the methadone.
“She still shakes,” Jessica admitted, explaining her methadone-maintenance program and the five weeks the little girl spent in the NICU. “They said she was good to leave, but sometimes she does shake.”
Haley cradled the newborn with one arm and wrapped the other around Jessica.
“You’ll both be okay,” she whispered.
What Open Adoption Looks Like: Shared Fear, Shared Faith, Shared Future
“I wanted a family for her,” Jessica said. “You have your two boys—eight and five. You’ll know how to take care of her, and they will be her family. When I saw your profile, I couldn’t stop looking at it. I just kept seeing you together. I knew she could be with you, and she could be happy. I knew you all would love her.”
He had stepped back to give these two mothers space, but the gratitude written all over his face filled the room.
They settled in together like a family reunion, mostly ignoring the Chick-fil-A meals in front of them as they talked about names, doctor’s appointments, and future visits.
Before leaving the office that morning, Jessica turned to Haley one more time.
“I know you’ll be a wonderful mother. She’s going to have such a good life.”
Haley held the baby close.
“We’ll make sure she always knows how much you love her.”
What Open Adoption Looks Like: Shared Fear, Shared Faith, Shared Future
Open adoption is the most common form of adoption today, and Heart to Heart Adoptions helps birth mothers in Utah build open adoption agreements that protect ongoing contact with their child after placement. In Utah, post-adoption contact agreements can be legally enforceable when incorporated into a court order.
Learn More About Utah Adoption
How to Choose an Adoptive Family for Your Baby in Utah
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Utah Adoption Stories — read more
Amazing adoptions have occurred in Utah. Read here. ➔
Birth Mother Support After Adoption in Utah
There is counseling and other support for you after placing a child. Read more. ➔
Talk to an Adoption Counselor in Utah
There is always nonjudgmental help. Read more. ➔
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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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