• MY STORY
• Jessica's Story
• Holly's Story
• Amber's Story
• From Peter to Christian
• Lynn's Story
• Jami's Story
• Angela's Story
• Jennifer's Story
• Ashley's Story
• Michael's Story
• Love in a Pink Blanket
• Second Chance

Lynn's Story

By Lynn

The day that I discovered I was pregnant, my world seemed to shatter in a single instant.

I was 22 years old with no college degree, a mediocre job, and a boyfriend whom I loved very much, but had only been with for two short months. I was scared of what my boyfriend would say and do, of what was going to happen to me, and of the prospect of becoming a parent.

My boyfriend reacted better than I thought he would, and he stayed by my side through my pregnancy. At first, we planned to keep our baby.

As the months passed, we tried to answer all the questions new parents have: How are we going to afford a child? Should we put him in daycare? How can we be parents at this point
in our lives?

It was a scary time for both of us...

Eventually, we came to the realization that while we certainly had enough love for this child, trying to parent him ourselves wasn't a good choice. We loved each other very much and already loved our unborn son, but our lives were at such a chaotic point that parenting wouldn't have been the best thing for our child.

That is when the sensitive topic of adoption came up. I am an adopted child, and at that point in my life, I knew nothing about my birthfamily and had never met them. When I was placed for adoption, there really weren't "open adoptions." I was afraid of the prospect of never seeing or knowing my son.

My boyfriend and I began looking at adoption agencies, and I came across Bethany. We wanted many things for our son, including parents who would teach him about God. After speaking with a counselor at Bethany, we learned that not only could we have a somewhat "open adoption," but that we could actually choose the family for our son. We had peace of mind knowing that we would receive updates about how our son was doing and growing.

A couple of months prior to our son's birth, we looked at profiles of potential families and came across one family that seemed to click with both of us. We had an initial meeting to learn more about them, and to express what we were looking for in parents for our child. We wanted a good home, preferably with a stay-at-home parent, and a sibling or two. We found all of this in this one family.

After what seemed like an eternity, Damon was finally born. We chose to name him, though we knew his name would change when he was placed with his adoptive family. We spent as much time as possible holding him in the hospital, and before we knew it, it was time to leave.

Leaving the hospital that day was the most difficult thing we have ever had to do in our lives. It seemed to crush us both, and we wondered just how we were going to get through it.

The first few months after the adoption were difficult. My boyfriend and I tried to cope with our decision as best we could, but it was a scary experience for a while. We could never have guessed how many emotions would hit us during that time. It is impossible to prepare for something like that.

However, we received several letters and photos from Damon's adoptive family, which helped more than I could ever express. We were reassured to see how he was growing and changing and, more than anything else, how happy he looked.

After Damon's adoption, I ended up meeting my birthmother. I had been searching for her for quite some time, and ironically, the day that we came home from the hospital I received information in the mail from the Department of Health. It was a copy of my original birth certificate, complete with my birthmom's name and my original name.

Needless to say, it was ironic timing. My boyfriend and I went together to meet my birthmom and, despite my fears, it was easier than I thought it would be. Right off the bat, we had one common bonding experience - placing a child for adoption. The rest followed easily. Meeting my birthmother for the first time was actually quite a wonderful experience.

Today, I have a wonderful relationship with my birthfamily. I'm so glad to know them for they have become a very special part of my life.


I also have a wonderful relationship with my adoptive family who will always be my family, regardless of where life takes us. They were there to raise me and teach me. Even today, now that I'm an adult, they still are there whenever I need them. I am incredibly blessed to have such an amazing family.

I also see Damon from time to time. His adoptive parents have been absolutely wonderful. They send pictures and letters, and I've gotten together with them a couple of times. They, too, have truly become a blessing in my life and in my boyfriend's life. We no longer have doubts about whether or not we made the right decision for our son. He has a great family, including an older brother to play with and guide him as he grows up. They have all become a very important part of our lives.

I have learned so many lessons from my experiences. First, a situation that may seem hopeless, scary, or unexpected, may actually turn out to be a blessing in disguise. I have also learned that often the best decisions in life are also the hardest ones to make. I am continually reassured of that through the photos, the letters, and
the visits.

As I look back at it all, I remember thinking that my world was ending. Now, I rejoice in all the blessings that came out of our decision. I have a beautiful little boy with a wonderful adoptive family, and my boyfriend, who has been a source of encouragement and strength. I'm thankful that God was with me through this trying time, and that He brought all of these wonderful people into my life. I feel truly blessed.