Currently, there are nearly 430 thousand children in the United States living in foster care, and every year 135 thousand children across the country are adopted [1]. Every single one of those children has a unique and beautiful adoption story that may inspire others to consider expanding their own family in this way. The Sampson family is no exception. This is their adoption story
The Sampsons’ Adoption Story: Our Family Doesn’t Match
Despite the fact that their baby son doesn’t share the same complexion as his parents, Sadie and Jarvis Sampson’s family is filled with love, and it is all thanks to adoption.
The couple had been trying for more than a year to conceive a child, but despite their best efforts, they remained childless.
“Ovulation tests, prenatal vitamins, cycle tracking apps, fertility monitors. We even tried the unsolicited advice of friends, family, and strangers and didn’t try,” said Sadie. “For 14 months, we tried, prayed, and waited.”
Even after losing a significant amount of weight on the advice of her physician, the pregnancy tests continued to come back negative. The Sampsons eventually gave up, resigning themselves to the knowledge that they would just have to be content being an uncle and aunt, and godparents to their goddaughters.
A mere week later, however, they received a phone call that would change their lives almost overnight. The call came from Sadie’s best friend, who had another friend who was looking for someone to foster her newborn baby for six to twelve months.
Despite concerns that they would become attached to the child after taking care of him for such a long time, Sadie and Jarvis agreed to foster. Less than a day later, they received another call from the child’s caseworker, telling them that the birth mother had changed her mind and wanted them to adopt the baby instead.
“We went from not having any children, to the possibility of fostering one, to, “You guys are parents!” overnight.”
The Sampsons posted about their excitement on Facebook, and were immediately flooded with congratulatory messages, with friends and family asking them what they needed. They set up a registry upon the advice of a friend, and 55 of the 72 items on the list were purchased in only three days.
Because their little boy was born at 33 weeks, he had to spend an extended amount of time in the NICU, but after a long wait they were finally able to bring their son home.
“Grateful doesn’t even sum up how we feel to have our son. We had one plan and God changed the game completely. We found out about our son when he was 1.5 weeks old. We literally became parents overnight. Families DON’T have to match! They are built on LOVE!”
The Benefits of Adoption
Adoption is a wonderful option for people who are unable to have a child of their own. It not only benefits the child, but benefits the biological parents and the adoptive family as well.
Read More: Couple ‘Pressured’ into 2nd Kid Wants to Put Baby Up for Adoption After Family Ghosts Them
The Biological Parents
For some, and unplanned pregnancy could be extremely problematic. Whether you are still in school, or are still focussing heavily on your career, having a baby can bring many of those aspirations to a grinding halt.
In other cases, the biological parents may not have the financial resources to look after a child, or are not in a situation wherein they could provide a good life for their baby. In either case, adoption is an excellent choice because there is still the opportunity for the birth parents to remain a part of their child’s life, if they so desire. Depending on the parameters of the adoption, the birth parents may be able to negotiate regular visits with the child, and they can be assured that their child is being loved and well cared for
The Adopted Child
Studies have shown that children who are adopted have better health and get more one on one attention from a parent. They are more involved in extracurricular activities, and are just as well-adjusted as their peers.
Adoption gives a child in need a loving and stable home, as well as the opportunities and resources that they may not have had access to otherwise.
The Adoptive Family
Adoption gives individuals and couples the opportunity to start a family of their own when they are unable to do so naturally. It allows them to fulfill their dreams of becoming parents, and gives them a chance to provide a better life for a child.
There are countless other adoption stories like the Sampsons- stories of love, togetherness, and family. There are still, however, thousands more children right here in our own country who are waiting for a forever family, so if you’re having trouble having a child on your own, consider adoption- you could be saving a child’s life.
Keep Reading: Sandra Bullock nailed why we should stop saying ‘adopted child’
- ‘US Adoption Statistics’ Adoption Network