Lydia's Update: Keeping Promises 6 Years Later
It’s been almost 6 years since I placed my sweet daughter into the arms of the woman, she would call “mommy." Since that day, I’ve felt immense amounts of sorrow, and yet tremendous joy.
A Real Extended Family Relationship
Yet at each turn of our journey, our walls were broken down and this theoretical “open adoption” became a real woman. A real child. And, ultimately, a real extended family relationship.
Courtney's Rules: How one birth mom gets through Mother's Day
You see, when the month of flowers arrives, a barrage of commercials and songs and questions come flying, “what are you doing for Mother’s Day?”. This is a difficult time for me in more than one way.
A Good and Hard Decision: Malynn's Story
"I hope one day my birth son will understand my decision and be grateful for the heart-wrenching decision I made to make his life better." - Malynn, birth mom
Lemons to Lemonade: Delora's Story
"She was so kind and gracious to me, asking me how the delivery was and how I was feeling. She made me feel seen.." - Delora, birth mom
Dear Birth Mom: One More Conversation with You
"Having my children now, I can't imagine how you struggled over my adoption. The pain and sadness that you endured. I hope someone was there for you." - Brandi, adoptee #BraveLove
Worth the Challenges - Ginny's Story
"Adopting a special needs child is challenging, but well worth the results and love you receive." - Ginny, adoptive mom
My Choice Wasn't Easy — Jess's Story
Let me take you back to December 2016 and finding out I was pregnant, immediately dropping to my knees knowing at 23, parenting two kids on my own already, having a full-time job, and attending college, there was no way I could have another child. I knew at that time adoption was my only option.
Gerrianne 40 Years Later
"It is out of LOVE an adoption plan is made." - Gerrianne #BraveLove
Gerrianne | A Birth Mom from Texas
I was a single mother, with three small boys. I was living on public assistance, in low-income housing, with plans to begin college in the Winter Semester... I didn't know how I could emotionally handle another child.
Grateful to Have a Choice - Jennifer's Story
"It was the hardest decision I have ever had to make and the best choice I could have made for my son." - Jennifer, Birth Mom
Honoring Birthdays & Birth Mothers
"I celebrate a woman who will be forever tied to our hearts. A woman who I know sits in the middle of celebrating this little girl and holds a cup full of loss." - Sue, adoptive mom #BraveLove
Coming Soon: Emmah
“I don’t have to hide from my son. He can know why I made the decision I did. And know that I love him.”
"We decided together that we wanted to pursue adoption"
Stephanie and her boyfriend placed their son for adoption. Eight years later they are able to continue to surround him with love and support through an open adoption. This is Stephanie’s story and why she chose adoption.
"Adoption was the best thing for my life and for my son"
Stephanie was parenting 3 children, battling addiction, and pregnant. At 8 months, she made her decision, which impacted her life in the most beautiful ways. This is Stephanie’s story and why she chose adoption.
"I gained not only a son but his parents"
Jennifer found out she was pregnant at 27, which was the same age her birth mother was when she made an adoption plan. This is Jennifer’s story and why she chose adoption.
Honoring Adoption: the traditions, gestures, and gifts
As we know, adoption impacts people forever. Nowadays that often looks like a relationship. Here are some ideas, traditions, simple gestures that honor the relationship between birth families and adoptive families, no matter how open or closed.
Gift Guide
Looking for a gift for a birth mom in your life? Reference this list of BraveLove products.
"How was I going to take care of a whole child?"
When Sara was pregnant with her daughter, she was at a difficult place in her life. She wasn’t able to take care of herself at the time, so the question of how she was going to be able to take care of a child was overwhelming. This is Sara’s story and why she chose adoption.
A Mother at Peace - Calli's Story
"My heart, mind and spirit are at peace knowing he is with the people who could love AND care for him best." - Calli, birth mom
Whitney's Story
Not too long ago, Whitney's life looked pretty dark and chaotic. Then she found out she was pregnant, and it turned upside down. She knew she couldn't parent. She also knew she wanted her child to be in a safe home with two loving parents. Today, not only does Whitney get to be a part of her son's life, but she gets to encourage other birth moms.
"There were a lot of people who didn't understand how I could have one and place another."
Kandice was already parenting her 9-month-old son when she found out she was pregnant again. As a single parent, there were challenges that made parenting a second child incredibly difficult. This is Kandice’s story and why she chose adoption.
"It was a tough decision, but the right decision for me."
Beginning her senior year of high school, Laura found out she was pregnant. Neither parenting nor abortion felt like the right choice. This is Laura’s story and why she chose adoption.
Why Adoption? Part 2
No two stories are the same. They're beautiful, messy, complicated. Here's a sneak preview of more stories that are coming out soon...
"I didn't make the wrong decision because I have success now."
Brittni carried a lot of shame for past choices in her life. She was battling loss and addiction, and life seemed to get worse before it could get better. That's when she found out she was pregnant. This is Brittni's story and why she chose adoption.