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Heritage Story

Ric and I came to adoption after several years of infertility.  When we made the decision to look at adoption agencies, we both felt we needed to find one that felt ?right? for us.  After talking to several friends, one of them referred us to Heritage; she had placed through Heritage several years before and thought that they would be the ?right? fit we were looking for. 

From the first conversation with Vanessa, we felt that Heritage was supposed to be part of our adoption journey.  Once we met with Vanessa in person, we knew that we were ready to move forward with Heritage. 

We looked forward to each step in the process and were a bit nervous when we learned we would be attending a two day class meeting birth mothers and adoptive families. Although those two days were filled with a tremendous amount of information, it was extremely helpful as our placement date grew closer. 

Several times over the two days we kept hearing that it would feel right when it was the correct placement, we didn?t really understand how true that was until we received a call regarding a match for us.  When Heritage called us, we couldn?t believe how many things we had in common with the birthparents and how many things just felt ?right.?  After our match conversation, Ric and I both were excited to meet the birthparents and couldn?t believe that there really was a couple out there that wanted the same things for the baby that we wanted. 

Heritage helped us each step of the way through the emotional ups and downs of waiting and was there for us when we flew to Alaska to meet the birthparents.  Lynne, the Heritage liaison for Alaska was a wonderful source of information and support during our time in Alaska.  During our first face to face meeting with the birthparents, she prepared a list of conversation topics ? just in case.  It was amazing to all of us after the meeting that not only did we not need to use the list of topics but, that we felt like we were all old friends.  

Ric and I were extremely fortunate to not only be able to attend the birth of our daughter but I was able receive her from the doctor and Ric cut the umbilical cord.  This was a dream come true for the both of us and at the insistence of the birthmother.  We went from a birthmother that wanted a closed adoption to a fully open adoption during our match process, which is what Ric and I had dreamed of from the beginning.  We feel extremely lucky that we have been able to remain in contact with the birthparents and that they were able to spend as much time as they wanted with the baby while we were in Alaska.

As of today, we send pictures and letters on a regular basis and talk to the birthmother on the phone every few weeks.  We can?t believe how right this match is for all of us and know that this could have happened only with the help of Heritage and the wonderful behind the scenes work they do to make sure that they are doing the best for everyone involved.