Stacy and Frank Parrado thought they were being interviewed about their adoption journey. What they didn’t know is that this day would change their lives forever. Hoda Kotb would surprise the couple.
The couple talked with Hoda Kotb on the Today show about how grueling the adoption process can be. Frank said they push each other through the bad days. Stacy explained, “Gladney, our adoption agency, they said to us when we first went there, one of the things to remember it’s not a matter of if you are going to be parents, it’s just a matter of when. So we know it’s going to happen, and it’s going to happen when it’s meant to happen for us.”
“Well, I think the day . . . is today,” Kotb said.
“What do you mean?” she asked.
“I think you’ve been matched . . . You’ve been matched, and it’s a girl. I’m so happy for you guys!” Hoda said.
A week later the Parrados got to meet their baby girl, Addison Emily.
The Parados were married in their early 20’s. They put off having children at first because they wanted to really have time to enjoy each other and to travel. Starting a family hasn’t been as easy as they’d hoped. Five years ago the couple sought the expertise of a fertility specialist when their attempts at conception were unsuccessful. What they learned was heartbreaking. “It was a curveball we thought wasn’t going to be there because I was 6 at the time,” Frank said. “They just said sometimes, given chemo, it just has those long-term effects, so it took us for a loop.”
His childhood cancer treatments had made it impossible for him to conceive a child. They took the time they needed to grieve the news and decide how to move forward. Stacy’s mom and aunt/godmother were adopted, so it seemed natural for them to go that route. They started the adoption process in November, and after the paperwork, background checks, and home visits, they finally got approved the following May. This upcoming May will be two years they have been waiting for a match.
Kotb was excited to execute the surprise as she has been in their shoes. Hoda adopted her baby girl, Haley Joy, last year after a battle with breast cancer left her unable to conceive.
Do you feel there is a hole in your heart that can only be filled by a child? We’ve helped complete 32,000+ adoptions. We would love to help you through your adoption journey. Visit Adoption.org or call 1-800-ADOPT-98.
