Jake & Chantel

Alissa, Birth mother

" If you're reading this, it means you are considering placing your child for adoption and that you are considering this amazing family for your sweet little baby. First of all, I want to tell you that adoption is an incredible thing and has blessed my life more than anyone can ever know. I myself was adopted, and I chose to place my incredible son for adoption as well. I would like to tell you a little bit about my experience with adoption as well as the experience I ha with Jake and Chantel. My birth mother had me when she was 17 years old. I was in foster care and was neglected for the first two years of my life. Fortunately, I was adopted by two of the most amazing people I have ever known. My parents gave me everything my birth mother couldn't, and so much more. I was given a life that has far surpassed any life I would have had if she would have kept me. She did a selfless and loving thing the day she let me go and I will be forever grateful for her decision. I was 20 years old when I found out that I was pregnant. I was devastated. It wasn't planned and the father wasn't in the picture. Was I capable of being a mother? Yes, and I was willing to give everything I had to support that beautiful little baby growing inside of me, but deep down I knew it wasn't what was best for him. I considered every possibility. I wanted so badly to give my child everything he deserved and more, just like my parents did, but I couldn't. I couldn't give him what he truly deserved, a family. I didn't want him growing up in a broken him going from house to house. I didn't want him to grow up in a single parent home, while I struggled to give him the things he needed. That's when I decided to place him. I looked through countless profiles of wonderful adoptive parents but none of them felt right. That's when I found Jake and Chantel. As soon as I met them, I knew they had to be my son's parents. Throughout the rest of my pregnancy, Jake and Chantel were there for me and helped me through the hardest time of my life. They became more than just adoptive parents, they became my friends and more than that, my family. They welcomed me into theirs with open arms. Placing the child you've carried for nine months into another persons arms will be one of the hardest things you will ever do. It made it so much easier knowing that my sweet little boy was going to be with the two most incredible people who would love him with every part of themselves. They were nervous and so was I, but they were perfect with him and they are the most AMAZING parents to their son, Brooks. Jake and Chantel were so kind and so supportive of me and my needs. They let me go visit any time I needed to and still do, but also gave me the space I needed to move on and move forward with my life. We still stay in contact and I am so grateful for the relationship I have with them. I know what you're going through, I know how hard it is, but I promise you, it's going to be ok. These two wonderful people gave me the life I thought was lost when I got pregnant. I got to continue my college education, fall in love with my sweet husband and marry him, but more importantly, they gave Brooks the life I never could have given him. They make him happy, they love him, they protect him, they do everything I wanted for him and so much more. I love them for what they did for me and for Brooks. I love you for your selfless decision to give your child more and I wish you luck in everything you do. Love, Alissa "