
Eight children played in a bright neighborhood park. Their laughter echoed as they climbed to the top of the slide and pushed one another in belt swings. This was the ultimate open adoption.
Nearby, two mothers sat together, their bond growing stronger as they watched the children run back and forth, occasionally pausing to grab a squeezable drink scattered on the grass.
Caleb*, a precious infant too young to join in the play, was at the center of this heartwarming scene. Despite his medical challenges, including needing a GI tube, his bright eyes followed the older children’s movements. Caleb was loved deeply by both his birth mother and his soon-to-be adoptive mother, each wanting nothing but the best for this special little boy.
The happy little boy was born to a mother who had the tough decision to place her child for adoption in an open adoption, a heavy-hearted decision motivated by so much love. She knew his medical needs called for care that she was not in a position to give, and she wanted to give him the best chance at a thriving future.
The adoptive mother, likewise, full of love, would be prepared to welcome Caleb into the family with open arms to give him that specialized care.
Caleb’s five biological siblings continued to run over and shower him with love, knowing that in days he would be living with a new family. The other three were new siblings who were eager to see Caleb as their brother and had already fallen in love with their new brother.
At the end of the day at the park, both mothers said they felt a mix of sadness over the approaching separation, hope for Caleb’s future, and gratitude for the open adoption that would help all the children stay in touch.

* Names have been changed. To respect the birth mother's privacy during this adoption journey, the images in this post are stock photos that reflect the emotions and themes of the story.

Adoption Journey
“We took pictures of all the kids together,” the adoptive mother said. “What a gift to have all these pictures. Caleb needed to have meds, so we had to leave. No one wanted to leave. We were enjoying one another so much.”
This open adoption, this placement, although necessary, was born out of love—a selfless desire of a mother to give her child the best life possible and another mother ready to provide that life. In this park, under the summer sun, two families were becoming one, united by their love for a very special little boy named Caleb.