GREETINGS FROM CALI!

So I checked my Facebook messages a few days ago, and I came across one that immediately grabbed my attention. It was from someone I had never met before...someone named Alyson. I clicked on the message, and I couldn't believe what I was reading. Apparently, a couple in California had read our open adoption article online (from The Technician), and they were so inspired by our story that they wanted to find some way to contact me. Wow. We communicated back and forth a few times, and it was nothing short of touching. It turns out they are looking to adopt, and wanted me to pass their profile along to any women that I might know who are considering adoption. I always knew that I could make an impact by openly sharing my experience, but I never really realized how big of an impact I could have until now. Their choosing to contact me from across the country made me realize how much potential my story has to inspire and motivate others to consider open adoption. I immediately called De and told her. De suggested that I give Alyson her contact information so they could talk about the entire open adoption process and what to expect. De copied me on an email that she sent to Alyson, and I sat in amazement as I read what she wrote. De told Alyson, "During the pregnancy, I would always tell Amy, "No matter what decision you make, whether you keep the baby or choose Don and I to be her Dad and Mom, don't EVER let anyone tell you it was a mistake." I can't believe I forgot about that! Don and De always told Robbie and I that it was our decision until the day we signed the adoption papers and left the hospital. They never made us feel pressured, and they told us that they would understand if we changed our minds at the very last minute and decided to parent Deanna ourselves. That just blew me away. These people were willing to go through the entire adoption process, knowing that it might not work out. It proved to me that they cared more about Robbie and Amy than about themselves, and in turn, I realized how much these selfless people could offer Deanna. Just knowing that I helped to connect Alyson and De has been another small part of the continuous healing process for me. I know that De will be such an incredible resource for this couple as they continue their search for a healthy baby to love and care for. If you know of anyone who is experiencing an unplanned pregnancy, please pass their information along. Alyson, 27, is an attorney and Jason, 32, is a cardiologist in Huntington Beach, California. They have been happily married for 5 years, and they hope to have a great relationship with their future child's birth mother. I've truly enjoyed speaking with Alyson & Jason, and I'm looking forward to setting an example and guiding them through the open adoption process. Who knows, maybe someone will see this and immediately think of someone they know dealing with an unplanned pregnancy. Food for thought! Contact: alysonandjason@gmail.com or 1-800-638-9693. I can only hope and pray that their adoption story will turn out as happily as ours has. :)