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Sal and Jon
 February 14, 2003
To all future parents:
I hope my story will encourage you to never lose hope.
I started panicking about my biological clock when I was 38 and single. I desperately wanted children but didn't want to parent alone. Fortunately, I met my wonderful husband, Jon, and we started trying to get pregnant as soon as we were married. I was 41 years old.
After only 3 months of trying, we got pregnant, despite fears that my age would prevent us from conceiving easily. I was absolutely ecstatic! I happily went about the next 12 weeks enjoying a problem-free pregnancy with mild morning sickness and no spotting. Jon and I picked out names and made plans for our April arrival.
Our innocence was obliterated when our ob/gyn couldn't find a heartbeat at 12 weeks. We were crushed. Surely this couldn't be happening to us. Devastating losses happen to other people, but to us?! As we sat at lunch trying to absorb and comprehend the doctor's words, we agreed to begin the adoption process.
I soon became frustrated and angry that because of my age and because we were newly married, we were ineligible for many adoption agency programs. Additionally, we still hoped to conceive again, and most agencies would not let us consider adopting while pregnant. We wanted two children close in age, one biological, one adopted. The thought of an agency telling us that they wouldn't allow this irritated us beyond belief. We decided to find a birthmother on our own and work towards an independent adoption.
We spent thousands of dollars advertising our need. We ran newspaper ads across our state, and we printed and distributed thousands of large postcards printed with our picture and story. A year and a half later, we were still childless. We had also endured 3 more heartbreaking miscarriages.
When we finally signed on with Adoption Network Law Center, I felt like I had found a life raft of hope in an ocean of desperation. The wonderful staff assured us again and again that we would be parents. When my faith was waning, their reassurances lifted my spirits. Best of all, they didn't have any of the arbitrary restrictions that many agencies have.
Finally, just six months after we signed on, Judy called us with the news: We had been chosen and we needed to fly to California in four days! We were ecstatic!
On September 30, 2002, our beautiful daughter, Nicole Paige, was born. Our birthmother welcomed us to witness the birth and to immediately care for our baby. This was an exciting and stressful time. Fortunately, Ellen from Adoption Network Law Center was there to guide us through every step. Ellen was nurturing, caring, competent and helpful in every way. She was truly our guardian angel and made our experience a smooth and successful one. We will be forever grateful to Ellen and the rest of the Adoption Network Law Center staff for helping us make our greatest dream a reality.
Before we returned home to Minnesota, we visited the Adoption Network Law Center staff. I can assure you that they are a devoted, caring, competent group of dedicated adoption professionals. In fact, we have so much faith in Adoption Network Law Center that we are planning to work with them again soon to adopt our second child!!
Sincerely,
Sal and Jon
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