“Every smile, giggle, and coo was designed by God!”

Earlier this year, adoptive couple Derek and Jennifer were blessed to adopt a baby boy through Lifetime. In this family’s story, we hear from Jennifer about receiving “the call,” the bond they’ve established with their son Elijah’s birth mother, and their experience with becoming parents together through an open adoption.

Now a forever family, adoptive mom Jennifer shares their beautiful story in this special guest blog post!

Because we live on the West Coast, I wasn’t surprised to hear my cell phone ring as the sun began to rise over the mountains.

I held my breath as I answered knowing that Lifetime Adoption called with “good news” outside of business hours. My husband and I listened to the voice on the other end of the phone intently. She spoke of a birth mother who chose us to raise the precious child growing inside of her. We listened carefully to every word and detail and soon learned a baby boy was due in just over three weeks.

Three days later, on a beautiful sunny summer morning, my husband and I sat at our dining room table, coffee in hand, holding our breath hoping the phone would ring. It did, and the conversation that ensued was unimaginable. We chatted with the birth mother as though we were childhood friends, even joking about our favorite sports teams. She invited us to her doctor appointment the following week, and we were happy to travel to meet her in person and ecstatic to learn we would see the baby via ultrasound.

We held our breath not knowing what to expect upon meeting the woman who would give us the greatest gift – a child. She came around the corner, extended her arms past her belly and drew me in for a long, loving hug.

The days and few weeks that followed continued to take our breath away. With each visit we grew closer and closer to the birth mother and the grace bestowed upon us from family and friends is difficult to put into words. Just three weeks passed before we packed our truck and drove sixteen hours to wait for the birth.

The phone rang once again as the sun rose over the mountains. I held my breath and listened to the voice on the other end. It was the birth mother inviting us to take her to the hospital. It was time.

Hour upon hour passed, and that evening, doctors determined an emergency C-section was the best option. Birth mother was whisked away, and I jumped into scrubs, kissed my husband, said a quick prayer and headed down the long hallway lit by fluorescent lights. I held my breath as I entered the delivery room. Mere moments later he arrived. We gathered together post-delivery to marvel at his perfection.

After a three day stay at the hospital, the birth mother presented my husband and I with our son, Elijah. All four of us were bonded together as a family forever. My husband and I recount the details of our Christian open adoption journey often, citing God’s great and perfect authorship of our story. Each time we held our breath, He was breathing life into all of ours.

As I gaze upon Elijah swaddled in a blanket napping under the glow of our Christmas tree, I realize I hold my breath so I can hear his. Every breath, every smile, giggle, and coo was designed by God’s perfect timing and plan. And for that, we are eternally thankful.

Lifetime would love to help you adopt a baby, too!

Start your Christian open adoption journey today by completing Lifetime’s free application to adopt.