"That’s the paradox that is adoption. On one side, it is beautiful and celebrated and the new baby is welcomed with open arms. On the other, there is a grief over the loss that extends to your entire family. " - Ashley, adoptive mom #BraveLove

"We both desired an open adoption but what that looked like I don't think either of us knew. We both had hopes but could they be a reality?" - Emily, adoptive mom #BraveLove

Adoption is beautiful but is it also painful. The process that her birth mom went through was not without thought. Each time we had to have another paper signed, my heart ached for her and what she must be processing. Our joy was causing her immense suffering and loss. Something that I won’t forget.

Growing up, Stephanie was the oldest of 6, an athlete, and a cheerleader. It was a crushing blow to her and her family when she discovered she was pregnant at age 15. Very few people knew this detail of her life. But as her family began to expand over time, she reveals how telling her story has allowed her to find the adoption support she had been missing.

In Texas a birth mother must wait 48 hours before she can legally place her child for adoption. Our friends at The Archibald Project documented a hopeful adoptive family AND a brave birth mother during those 48 hours. These 48 hours may change how you view adoption.

But these stories don’t make media headlines day after day after day, and even if they did, the news couldn’t do it justice in a 60 second bit. I’m pretty sure I’m not going to be able to do it justice in the hours it's going to take me to write this.

"It is messy and beautiful. I can't quite describe how rewarding and how challenging it can be, but it is both. And I would not change it for anything!"

"I thought adoption was giving up. I didn't abandon my son... I chose what was best for him." Watch as Sarah and the family she placed with, share an honest portrayal of not only the struggle, but also the joy and beauty that has come from their open adoption.

"We just sat there and watched this family love on this child who they feel very much connected to because it is their child. It is their granddaughter. It is their cousin. It is their niece. It is their daughter. We recognized that something really special is happening that we got to be a part of."

Of course, when I think about things for any length of time, I tend to see them in view of adoption. There is no moment in life that I can think of where joy and grief are more present (in an all-out battle, if you will) than during an adoption.