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An interesting story that appeared September 20th, in the Lake County Leader (Montana), tells the tale of yet another family who is headed down the path of open adoption.
The Rensvold family, Mary, Dave and son Matthew, had been waiting for nearly two years for the right situation for their family, and they happily found just that with the recent adoption of baby Samantha.
The baby girl, who was born in late June, brought the end to a long and emotional wait for the family. The Rensvold’s believe that the process could not have gone any better than it did. There still were many ups and downs, but in the end the welcoming of a precious baby girl, and a hope for an ongoing connection with her birthparents, was well worth any minor frustrations.
This story may be about the end of a long wait to complete their family for the Rensvolds, but it is also the beginning of the new story of an open adoption that will be as open as little Samantha’s birthparents would wish it to be.
“The adoption is open to the extent that they want it to be. I wasn’t worried that they’d change their mind,” Mary said.
The Rensvold family say that they are committed to the birthparents of baby Samantha, and they want to encourage them to be an ongoing part of the little girl’s life. In an open adoption such as this, the birthparents select the family who will raise their child, and exchange contact information and emails, pictures and calls, with the potential for future visits. The family say they are already looking forward to perhaps a holiday visit, and a visit so they may introduce their son Matthew to Samantha’s birthparents.
The thing I was astounded with was the amount of preparation that baby Samantha’s birthparents must have put into the decision process of selecting the family. They obviously thought a lot about what they were wanting for their daughter. The story shares that the young couple had already gone over at least ten applications by other potential families, before coming across that of the Rensvold family. The young couple reported being drawn to them because of a shared interest in sports and other activities, but were most impressed with the fact that the Rensvold’s eight year old son Matthew, filled out his own letter to potential birthparents.
I know that if those of us in the adoption community could send out words of support and encouragement to both families, we might say it with a simple “Keep your focus on Samantha.” Those of us who have experienced the joys (and the pitfalls) of open adoptions, know it can be well worth the time and investment. This adoptive couple seems to have the right attitude from the start. Hopefully they will remain committed and involved, as will the young couple who so carefully placed their daughter by way of adoption into their care.
A Positive Open Adoption – And No Fees Attached!
