When People.com asked if they could share our adoption story, Dave and I agreed only because our intention for saying yes to a show on HGTV was always for God to use this platform for His glory. While I’m fiercely protective of our daughter and our story, I also know it is a story written in Holy places and one I could never author on my own. Therefore, it is one I can share carefully and pray God uses for good.
Our 602 day rollercoaster journey to bring our daughter home was one of the hardest, yet most spiritually-full, times of my life. God was so clearly moving and He proved himself faithful again and again. Looking back on those dark days of waiting, I can see how that was a season of preparation for our family. I assumed when Sylvie came home, we would finally be able to rest and exhale. I didn’t realize that the battle had actually just begun. Because, the truth is: adoption stems from loss and grief. It is a tragic piece of a bigger picture – one that can’t be tied up with a pretty bow at the airport homecoming moment.
Since that beautiful, miraculous day in July of 2014 when our girl finally landed on US soil, we have persistently fought for joy and peace and healing. We have taken two steps forward and three steps back. We have spent countless hours in prayer and in therapy. We have healed broken pieces and immediately discovered new fractures. We have laughed and cried simultaneously. The journey of grief becoming overshadowed by joy will likely be a lifelong one. Grief is tricky like that – it can’t be placed on a timeline and it is far from predictable. Undoubtably, and to my momma heart’s absolute devastation; the truth is, our girl will likely uncover new losses throughout her life.
Yet, our daughter is not the face of adoption. It is only one small part of her story. There are so many other chapters yet to be written – chapters penned by her strength and bravery and tenacity. Chapters depicting her kind heart and gentle spirit. Volumes of good things to come. And, the privilege of watching those stories unfold is not lost on me.
Yes, adoption is hard. Yes, adoption is full of grief and sorrow. But, most importantly, it is rooted in love. Adoption is the beautiful and tangible depiction of active, fought-for, sought-after, relentless love.
“I feel like God put it on our hearts that she was ours and right we knew, it was just like, ‘Yup.’ It was a key in a lock,” Dave shared about our girl in the article for People.
You can read the People.com story for National Adoption Month HERE.