Ted and I knew we wanted children since we began dating. After being married for three years, we ran into some obstacles. We never thought that adoption was going to be where the love of our life was going to come from, but after three years of failed fertility treatments it was time to take the big step. Fortunately I worked with many women who had similar experiences and had adopted years earlier. Although times were different then, the emotions were all the same. Ted works with all men and he said it was amazing how once he started talking about adoption, many of them came out of the woodwork and opened up about their own experiences with adoption.

Meredith Rose had been highly recommended from a social worker who had heard her speak. After losing her telephone number a few times, I finally called, only to find out she no longer worked with that agency. Back to the drawing board! I discovered that Meredith was working at Open Arms. We set up a meeting. Meredith made Ted and I feel comfortable and safe and we were on the road to adoption.

Initially we weren't decided on either domestic or international adoption. At the time we started the process the international route was going through some changes. We decided to go domestic and would wait and see where that would take us. I thought the waiting was going to be the hardest part, in actuality it wasn't. We frequently attended seminars. Sometimes I went with my husband, sometimes alone and sometimes with our Open Arms social worker Michele Smeal. Open Arms helps keep you busy and makes you feel so special during this emotional time. You make good relationships, not only with birthparents, but also with other adoptive parents who understand exactly what you're going through.

Our son's birthparents could not have been more open to us. Our first meeting with Ted and Eileen (coincidently our names are Ted and Irene) was at their home. We sat outside together on that beautiful April day. It took off from there. Meredith was wonderful in opening up the door and we just chatted away getting to know a little bit more about each other. We only met six days before T.J.'s birth, which was a scheduled C-section. The birthfather, whose name is also Ted came and got us after T.J. was born and we all went together to the nursery for the first time like one big happy family. Needless to say, some tears were shed. T.J.'s birthmother, Eileen allowed me to be the first one to hold T.J. - there are no words to describe how I felt holding my adorable son. We were at the hospital with T.J.'s birthparents every day from sun-up to sundown. Three days later, we brought our most precious and beautiful son home. One cannot imagine all the emotions you feel until you actually go through it. Eileen had said "I want this day to be perfect for baby T.J., Irene and Ted" as she stared out the window with the birthfather by her side. After our time together, we truly understand why open adoption is absolutely the way to go.