Fostering to adopt is incredibly complicated, it doesn’t have to be! Here is a story of a family that made it easy. With a little patience and hope, Melissa McGovern got the family of her dreams. This is her story:
The Fostering to Adopt Process
Melissa and her wife Lynn started the adoption process 2.5 years ago. They attended a fostering to adopt open house at their town library and by the following April, they were licensed. Through this time, they educated themselves on the process of adoption and gained more knowledge. This is when they realized that it’s not as hard as everyone thinks. Melissa states that “the most important thing is to be patient. When your child is ready, you will know it! Actually, you will feel it!”
On August 6, 2019, they first met their son for a picnic where they had sandwiches and played catch. During that meeting, he immediately felt a connection with the couple. The next day, Melissa and Lynn had dinner with him where he asked if they could be his forever home. His wish came true after a couple more meetings when he was permanently placed with Melissa and Lynn on August 12, 2019. Melissa was excited because she knew from the moment she met him that he was the one for them. It just felt right.
Changing Times
When we asked Melissa what her best experience was through the fostering to adopt process, she states that “the amount of support we’ve received from his social worker and our friends and family has been amazing. You don’t realize how much love you are surrounded by until you put everyone in the same room.” Her life also changed tremendously as she is a first-time mother now. She has created a strong bond with her son through all the school drop-offs and pick-ups, homework, playtime and bedtime stories.
For those who are considering to adopt, Melissa advises to “Be patient. Take your time. Build a connection with your peers in your training. You will all need each other at some point down the road and they are valuable resources!”
In Conclusion
Thank you, Melissa and Lynn, for sharing your fostering to adopt story with Foster Love – Together We Rise. If you are in the process of fostering to adopt, we offer free photos of your special day through our Framing Forever program. Click here for more information.
