When people hear I adopted my daughter from foster care, they usually say, “She’s so lucky to have you.” I smile, but the truth is, I’m the lucky one. She’s changed my life in ways I never could have planned.
Courtesy of Nicole LeBeau
Growing up, I had a clear picture of my future—college, marriage, children. I tried to make all the right choices, aiming for a “perfect” life. But life took turns I didn’t expect, and looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing.
Courtesy of Nicole LeBeau
In 1998, my dad died from injuries after a work accident. I was about to start my junior year at Marquette. Just days after his funeral, I went back to school, knowing he’d want me to. I threw myself into my studies, graduating early.
Courtesy of Nicole LeBeau
After college, I married my boyfriend. I might have been only 21, but it felt completely natural. He encouraged me to go to law school, and by 2005 I had my dream job. I thought it was time to begin the journey of starting a family. Then, after seven years of marriage, he told me he didn’t want kids. We had always planned for children, so I was shocked. A year later, I made the painful choice to divorce.
Courtesy of Nicole LeBeau
Living alone for the first time was hard. I buried myself in work and kept my distance from friends. Years passed, but the desire to be a mom never faded. In 2014, I decided I was strong enough to do it alone. Adoption felt right, but as a single woman, I worried my chances were slim. Then I learned about adopting through foster care.
Courtesy of Nicole LeBeau
By the end of 2014, I was licensed for children ages three to six. That year, 2015, I got word about a newborn little boy. The connection was instant, but just five days later, his birth mom chose to take him back, I was heartbroken. I expanded my age range to include infants, even knowing the wait could be long. I also tried artificial insemination twice, but both attempts failed.
Courtesy of Nicole LeBeau
Then came the call that would change everything—a newborn girl needed a home. She was born the very day I learned my second insemination had failed. Tiny but strong, she had been exposed to drugs before birth. The first time I held her, I knew she was meant to be mine.
Courtesy of Angie Lamia Jacoby
The road to adoption wasn’t easy. She had a birth mom who fought hard for custody, and the case was slowed by constant delays. But in April 2020, just before her fourth birthday, the adoption was final. COVID kept us from having a big celebration, but the joy in my heart was more than enough.
Courtesy of Nicole LeBeau
Life as a single mom is challenging. All the responsibility is on me, but every moment with her is worth it. Adopting through foster care wasn’t part of my original plan, but our story is better than anything I could have imagined.
Courtesy of Nicole LeBeau
She isn’t just lucky to have me. I’m lucky to have her.
