Since childhood, Kara had dreamt of having babies and building a beautiful family, but the unique part was how she wanted to expand her family through adoption. She often brought baby dolls that matched her skin tone, and the urge to adopt increased when she started working as a nurse in the Children’s hospital. She was in awe whenever she saw a baby with a complicated and different condition. Her husband, Ryan, supported her when she shared how she wanted to adopt babies.
The couple was soon ready to embark on this new and unique journey, as both were firm believers that it is not just DNA that defines love. We see so many forms of love every day, yet when giving a little angel a better life, why be hesitant? What further made them opt for the option of adoption was when Kara got pregnant; however, it was a risky one, and there were multiple complications. The couple had to see the critically ill baby and take care of it, so the final decision was to adopt.
After discussing the situation, the couple did not take any further action for the process until one casual day they saw a jacket in their mail. It was regarding adoption! Could there be a better sign? So, in the next few days, the couple filled out all the paperwork, raising funds so they did not have to struggle financially, and looked at all the other requirements for a smooth process. The couple went for international adoption, as they wanted to love and care for the baby, and they were sure it would be enough, and they were ready for the entire journey ahead.
They started the process in Rwanda, and it was there that the couple first met their two sons. It was an orphanage with a blue gate. While the children who were going to be adopted stared at the couple with blank yet curious eyes, they were overjoyed and teary-eyed to welcome them into the family. However, what they did not see ahead was how adoption is not just about giving love, it is also about healing the babies from the past traumas their losses had left them with. It would take much more than love to care for the children.
The children initially gave the couple a hard time, but it was understandable, as their childhood was neglected, and they were unfamiliar with what having a safe space feels like. Accepting the love and care that the couple had for them was hard on the boys. No matter the couple’s parenting style, it showed no positive results. However, after multiple therapy sessions, education, and the community also played a role in healing the family and giving them a place and comfort zone to be expressive with each other.
Observing how the family finally had roots based on love and stability brought them joy, and now Kara and Ryan wanted to become foster parents, too. They taught the children how hurt people could heal with love, and their adopted sons acknowledged it wholeheartedly. A few months later, the couple held Birdie, a baby girl who was only six months old when she needed a foster home.
The couple had pre-decided that Birdie would be returned to her biological mother, and so, to reunify them, the biological mother was provided with regular updates. However, for years, Birdie lived with the family, and what happened with her presence was surprising. The adopted sons cared for the baby girl and loved her dearly, and one of them even broke down, telling Kara how the baby needed her.
At that very moment, it was decided that Birdie would become a permanent part of the beautiful family and was officially adopted. Although Kara wanted Birdie to get love from her actual mother and knew she would always be second, she loved her dearly and felt lucky to be able to love another angel.
